Dear Tom,
How often does Chicago experience a “White Christmas”?
Laura Niequist, Algonquin, Ill.
Dear Laura,
In the 111 Chicago Christmases since snow depth records began in 1893, the city has met the “White Christmas” criterion of 1 inch of snow on the ground on 50 occasions, equating to about 45 percent of the time.
The prospects for a White Christmas this year appear to be fading, though northeast winds could bring some lake effect snow to the city before Christmas morning depending upon the track of a major winter storm moving through the eastern U.S.
Chicago’s “whitest” Christmases occurred in 1951 when 17″ of snow covered the ground and in 2000 when the snow depth reached one foot. Since 2000 the city enjoyed White Christmases in 2002 with a 2″ snow cover and last year when 1″ covered the ground, but not in 2001 when Christmas morning dawned snowless.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
