Severe Weather Possible from the Central Plains to the Northeast; Building Heat in the West; Fire Weather Concerns for the Southwest

Severe thunderstorms will be possible from the central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Monday. Hazardous heat will linger across the southern U.S. and build across the West through mid-week. Hot and dry conditions will fuel fire weather concerns for Interior Alaska and the Four Corners region through Monday. Read More >

Event Summary Graphic

Overview
Notable Snowfall Events
Additional Info

Overview

The start of the 2025-2026 snowfall season is off to a roaring start, especially along and north of Interstate 80.
- In Chicago, there have been 9 days with measurable (at least 0.1") snowfall between November 9 and December 7, including four days with at least 1 inch of snow.
- In Rockford, there have been 6 days with measurable (at least 0.1") snowfall between November 9 and December 7, including four days with at least 1 inch of snow.

As of December 7, 2025, Rockford has picked up 17.1" of snow so far this snowfall season.
- During the winter of 2024-2025, a total of 17.1" of snow fell in Rockford. So, Rockford has already picked up the same amount of snow as the entirety of the last winter season!
- This is the snowiest start to the snowfall season in Rockford since reliable records began in 1905!
- The average seasonal snowfall in Rockford is 38.4".
As of December 7, 2025, Chicago has picked up 17.1" of snow so far this snowfall season.
- During the winter of 2024-2025, 17.6" of snow fell in Chicago. So, Chicago has already experienced nearly the same amount as snow as the entirety of the last winter season!
- This is the quickest start to winter since 1978, when 24.1" of snow fall by December 7.
- This appears to be the 4th most snowfall on record through December 7.
- The average seasonal snowfall in Chicago is 37.1".
The 9-day period from November 29 through December 7 was remarkably snowy with more than 15 inches of snow in both Chicago and Rockford.
- In Chicago, this was the snowiest 9-day period since 2/8/2021 to 2/16/2021, when 15.2" of snow fell.
- In Rockford, this was the snowiest 9-day period since 2/3/2018 to 2/11/2018, when 16.1" of snow fell.
There were two warning-level snowfall events during the month of November 2025. The last time there were two warning-level winter precipitation events during the month of November was in 2008 (11/18/2008 lake effect snow event, 11/20/2008 lake effect snow event, and 11/30/2008 winter storm).

Notable Snowfall Events

November 9-10, 2025: Intense early season lake effect snow with localized snow accumulations of up to a foot

November 29-30, 2025: Post-Thanksgiving winter storm delivers up to a foot of snow to the region

December 1, 2025: 1-3" snow accumulations across the area, highest south of I-80

December 6-7, 2025: Clipper system drops 3 to 7 inches of snow, highest amounts north of I-80

Additional Information

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Severe Weather Possible from the Central Plains to the Northeast; Building Heat in the West; Fire Weather Concerns for the Southwest

Roaring Start to 2025-2026 Winter Snowfall Season