The Great Chicago Snow Gamble: How Many Days Will You Spend Shoveling This Winter?
Ah, Chicago. City of wind, deep dish pizza, and a weather system that seems to be operated by a mischievous toddler with a snow globe. Predicting snowfall in Chicago is about as accurate as guessing how many toppings Lou Malnati's will pile onto their legendary deep dish (spoiler alert: it's a lot). But fear not, intrepid snow adventurer (or unfortunate soul destined for shovel duty), for we shall delve into the fascinating, and often frustrating, world of Chicago snowfall.
When the Windy City Turns Winter Wonderland (or Slushy Mess)
Here's the thing: snowfall in Chicago is like a bad roommate. It shows up whenever it pleases, stays for an unpredictable amount of time, and leaves behind a giant mess (looking at you, black ice). Generally speaking, snowfall can roll in anywhere from late October to as late as April, though anything before December is usually a quick flurry that melts faster than your New Year's resolutions.
The real snow party kicks off in December, January, and February, where you can expect a mix of everything from a light dusting to a full-blown blizzard that'll have you questioning your life choices (and your winter wardrobe). On average, Chicago gets hit with around 36 inches of snowfall a year, but that number can be as low as 20 inches or as high as 80 inches, depending on how much Mother Nature feels like messing with us.
So, How Many Days Are You Actually Shoveling?
Now, here's the million-dollar question (or at least the ten-dollar-shovel question). How many days will you actually be wrestling with a giant snow monster in your driveway? Buckle up, because this is where things get interesting.
- Measurable Snowfall (0.1 inches or more): Buckle up, buttercup! You can expect an average of 8-9 days a year where you'll need to break out the shovel and channel your inner lumberjack.
- Snowmageddon-Lite (1 inch or more): Here's where things get dicey. Chicago averages around 11-12 days with snowfall of at least an inch. These are the storms that make national news and have you wondering if you should move to Florida.
- Winter Wonderland (or Apocalypse, Depending on Your Viewpoint) (5 inches or more): These whopper snowfalls, the ones that leave you trapped indoors and living on a diet of canned goods and existential dread, are thankfully less frequent. Expect a battle with at least 1-2 of these monsters a year.
Important Disclaimer: Remember, these are just averages. Just like that time you swore you wouldn't eat an entire deep dish by yourself, Chicago snowfall can be wildly unpredictable. So, stay tuned to the weather forecast, invest in some good snow boots, and maybe consider befriending your neighbor with the snowblower.
Here's to hoping for a mild winter (and if not, at least the snow makes for some pretty Instagram pics).
