Dear Tom,
What percent of the seasonal snowfall has usually fallen by the end of January?
Jay Vasavan
Dear Jay,
In a typical Chicago winter, based on the latest 30-year climatological normals for the period 1971-2000, Chicago accumulates 38 inches of snow and by January’s close should have received 58 percent of the season’s total. By the end of February about 80 percent of our winter allotment should have fallen and that increases to 96 percent by the end of March. The season’s remaining snowfall occurs in April with no more than trace amounts of snow expected in May. January is normally the city’s snowiest month averaging 11.3 inches of snow. This January has been exceptionally snowy with the official total at O’Hare coming in at just under 28 inches, about two and one half times the normal amount.
———-
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.
