Biggest Snowstorms in Chicago and Rockford

The following are the 10 ten greatest snowfall events in the Chicago and Rockford area.
Chicago
Since snow records began in 1886 in Chicago, there have been 41 winter storms that produced 10 inches or more of snow. A 10 inch snow occurs about once every 3 years. A 15 inch snow occurs only once about every 19 years. The closest back to back 10 inch snows were March 25-26 and April 1-2, 1970 (6 days apart). The longest period of time without a 10 inch snow or greater was February 12, 1981 to January 1, 1999 (almost 18 years). The earliest 10 inch snow was November 25-26, 1895 and the latest 10 inch snow was April 1-2, 1970. The most recent 10 inch snow was January 21-23, 2005. These snowfall statistics are through the 2004-2005 winter season.
Chicago's 10 biggest Snowstorms:

1. 23.0 inches Jan 26-27, 1967
2. 21.6 inches Jan 1-3, 1999
3. 19.2 inches Mar 25-26, 1930
4. 18.8 inches Jan 13-14, 1979
5. 16.2 inches Mar 7-8, 1931
6. 15.0 inches Dec 17-20, 1929
7. 14.9 inches Jan 30, 1939
8. 14.9 inches Jan 6-7, 1918
9. 14.3 inches Mar 25-26, 1970
10. 14.0 inches Jan 18-20, 1886

Rockford
There have been 21 10-inch snows in Rockford’s history. The closest back-to-back 10-inch snows were January 14 – 15 and January 17 – 19 1943  (2 days). Therefore, it’s no wonder than the 1942 – 1943 season is ranked second for the most snowfall, right after the blizzard season of 1978 – 1979 with an amazing 74.5 inches of snow recorded!
Rockford’s Ten Biggest Snowstorms

1. 16.3 inches on January 6 - 7, 1918
2. 16.0 inches on March 30 – 31, 1926
3. 15.0 inches on March 21 – 22, 1932
4. 13.8 inches on March 1 – 2, 1948
5. 12.9 inches on December 11 – 13, 1909
6. 12.5 inches on February 10 – 11, 1944
7. 12.3 inches on January 11 – 14, 1979
8. 12.0 inches on January 17 – 19, 1943
9. 11.5 inches on January 14 – 15, 1943
10. 11.4 inches on December 14 – 16, 1987 and 11.4 inches on February 9 – 10, 1960