Dear Tom,
What is the longest streak of days at Chicago that had measurable snowfall?
Nick Recchia, River Grove
Dear Nick,
Measurable snow (at least 0.1″) fell on each of nine consecutive days from Jan. 29 through Feb. 6, 1902–a 103-year Chicago record that still stands. Surprisingly though, the total snowfall, 5.0″, was relatively minor considering the duration of the event (but note: The snow was not continuous).
Chicago weather historian Frank Wachowski comments that it was a very cold period as well–cold enough, in fact, that the temperatures were of greater consequence to Chicago than the snowfall.
The city’s daily high/low temperatures and snowfall for the nine-day string, Jan. 29-Feb. 6, 1902: 19/13/0.2″; 22/18/0.6″; 27/21/1.0″; 26/20/0.1″; 20/-3/0.8″; 9/-5/0.2″; 7/-6/0.6″; 9/-7/0.3″; and 22/8/1.2″.
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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.
