This winter ties record for most days at or below zero in Chicago

SHARE This winter ties record for most days at or below zero in Chicago

There’s no question this winter has been cold.

And depending how you crunch the numbers, it also has tied a record.

Monday’s temperatures dipped below zero once again, according to meteorologist Gino Izzi at the National Weather Service.

“If you look at the number of days below zero, we don’t break a record. We’re at 23 days, and the record is 25, so we’re in fourth place,” Izzi said.

That record was set in the winter of 1884-85.

But if you look at the number of days temperatures were at or below zero, the meteorologist said, this season ties for first with the winter of 1874-75. Both seasons spent 26 days at or below zero, he said.

We also have had enough snow this winter, our friends at the Chicago Reader have created a taxonomy of snow.

Here’s how this season compares to other winters:

Here’s how the average temperature this season compares to the 30-year average normal temperature:

And here’s a cool GIF of the ice flow on Lake Michigan in late January from the National Weather Service:

NOAA satellite tracking of Lake Michigan ice from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 28.

More information about those ice movements.

Max Rust contributed to this post.

The Latest
With Easter around the corner, chocolate makers and food businesses are feeling the impact of soaring global cocoa prices and it’s also hitting consumers.
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.