Winter Storm Bringing Widespread Hazardous Weather to the Eastern U.S.

A rapidly-intensifying winter storm continues to bring heavy snow, high winds, and blizzard conditions over the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes through today. An Arctic front will lead in a period of gusty to high winds and sharply colder temperatures over the entire eastern U.S. Heavy lake effect snow is then expected from Lakes Erie and Ontario through New Year's Day. 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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Winter Storm Bringing Widespread Hazardous Weather to the Eastern U.S.

Roaring Start to 2025-2026 Winter Snowfall Season