February’s opening week: Chicago’s 2nd snowiest
February’s no laggard when it comes to winter weather. While days lengthen, normal daytime highs rise from 31° to 39° and sunlight is 46% stronger this month than in December, a 10”+ snowstorm hits in February once every 19 years and an average of 12 days record a 1”+ snow cover.
Snowfall in Februarys since 1928 which have followed the 20 mildest Januarys has varied widely. But, an analysis offers evidence that mild Januarys offer no guarantee the month which follows will lack snow. It’s true measurable snows have occurred less frequently in such months and snowfall in 60% of those 20 Februarys has fallen shy of the historic average. But, the remaining 40% have included three of the city’s nine snowiest Februarys on record here—among them 22.5” in February 1967, 19.9” in February, 1989 and 16.6” in February 1950. The snowfall in those 20 Februarys averaged 39% heavier than the 8.3” historic average since 1928.
