Chicago’s third worst snowstorm on record is history

…had stronger winds than either of Chicago’s other two record snowstorms, and thus was probably the worst snowstorm ever to affect the city, as far as impacts on travel go

…the most remarkable feature of this storm was its sheer size. Twenty-two states received snows of five inches or more,and over 100 million Americans experienced snow or freezing rain. Antioch, Illinois recorded the most snow of any location in the U.S., 27 inches. Also hard-hit were Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Vermont, which all reported more than eighteen inches of snow. Seven states reported freezing rain that left 1/2” or more of ice accumulation, which resulted in power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of people.

The strength of the high pressure system behind the Groundhog’s Day Blizzard of 2011 was also remarkable. Pressure readings in Montana at the height of the blizzard were well above 1050 mb, the type of high pressure only seen once every twenty years or so in the U.S.

Wunderground

You may join me in wondering what the heck so many people were doing on Lakeshore Drive when predictions about MONSTER storm had been made for days.  Maybe sitting in their cars for 12 hours will make them pay attention next time….

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