How much snow has fallen in Chicago so far? Snowy start is nearly historic

If it felt like winter started unusually early in Chicago, it did.

That’s because the city is off to its snowiest start to winter in decades, according to the National Weather Service.

So far, 17.1 inches of snow has been recorded in Chicago as of Dec. 7. During the entire 2024-25 winter season just 17.6 inches of snow fell in the area.

It marks the snowiest start to winter since 1978, according to NWS. That year, 24.1 inches of snow had fallen by Dec. 7.

So far, this ranks as the fourth-most snowfall the region has seen by Dec. 7 on record.

And there’s more snow in store this week.

A “parade of systems” is expected to hit the Chicago area this week, bringing multiple chances for snow.

Another chance for snow or flurries arrives Wednesday morning and periodic snow chances will continue through the end of week as temperatures plummet.

Thursday, highs drop back into the 20s and continue falling from there, with more snow dusting chances in the evening.

On Friday, more snow could arrive, according to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Pete Sack.

“We could get a couple inches out of it,” Sack said, with some areas seeing between two and four inches.

Snow chances continue Saturday, with a high of just 10 degrees, Sack said.

The multiple chances for snow throughout the week and weekend could lead to as much as five inches of snow by Sunday, forecast models showed, with even higher amounts possible to the southeast and in northwest Indiana.