After an unseasonably warm day on Tuesday, January 24th, 1967, the temperature began to drop. On Wednesday, Northern Illinois residents were warned that there would likely be a couple inches of snowfall on Thursday, but nothing earth-shattering. Then, on Thursday at about 5:00am, the snow storm began. This somewhat unexpected event turned into what many remember as the largest blizzard in Illinois. It was the fact that the storm became much larger than what was expected that made it so catastrophic and one of the biggest snowstorms in Illinois history.
Since no one expected the storm to be bad, everyone went off to work and school as planned that day.
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As the day progressed, snow continued to fall. When the school and work day ended, chaos ensued.
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Though people were stuck all over the northern part of the state, reports say that over 50,000 cars were abandoned on the streets and highways of Chicago.
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The 23 inches of snowfall wasn’t the only problem; wind gusts up to 53 mph caused huge snowdrifts to build up.
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Snow removal equipment was sent in from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan to help clear the streets.
Southport Corridor News and Events/Facebook
During the blizzard, 26 people died from a variety of causes, including heart attacks experienced when shoveling snow.
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The cities and towns were moving again by the following Tuesday, but it took a full three weeks for the snow to be completely cleared.
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Do you remember this storm as the largest blizzard in Illinois history? Did your parents tell you about it? Share your stories with us in the comments and feel free to share memories of any of the other biggest snowstorms in Illinois.
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And for more memorable weather events, check out the 9 worst storms in Illinois history.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
largest blizzard in illinois December 17, 2019 Andrea Limke When was the biggest blizzard in Illinois? Illinois is no stranger to snow, but we have definitely been pummeled by some massive storms over the years. The storm of 1967 is the largest blizzard in Illinois ever recorded in the Chicago area as a record 23 inches of snow fell. The fact that it was somewhat unexpected also made this one of the biggest snowstorms in Illinois history and one that locals still talk about. 1979 was also a year for the record books as our state experienced an epic arctic freeze. What is the most snow ever recorded in Illinois? If you had been around in the year 1900, you would have definitely needed a warm coat. This year over a century ago saw incredible amounts of snow and memorable winter weather in Illinois. 36 inches of snow fell in a 24-hour period in February of 1900, which caused incredible chaos back then, as you can imagine. What is winter weather in Illinois typically like? Winter weather in Illinois is often cold, snowy, and lovely, but it does vary from year to year, or even day to day! Of course the northern areas of our state see more snow and colder temperatures, but typically all of Illinois sees snow throughout the winter. If you’ve never been to our state in the winter, here are 10 tips to survive winter in Illinois.
The OIYS Visitor Center
largest blizzard in illinois
December 17, 2019
Andrea Limke
When was the biggest blizzard in Illinois? Illinois is no stranger to snow, but we have definitely been pummeled by some massive storms over the years. The storm of 1967 is the largest blizzard in Illinois ever recorded in the Chicago area as a record 23 inches of snow fell. The fact that it was somewhat unexpected also made this one of the biggest snowstorms in Illinois history and one that locals still talk about. 1979 was also a year for the record books as our state experienced an epic arctic freeze. What is the most snow ever recorded in Illinois? If you had been around in the year 1900, you would have definitely needed a warm coat. This year over a century ago saw incredible amounts of snow and memorable winter weather in Illinois. 36 inches of snow fell in a 24-hour period in February of 1900, which caused incredible chaos back then, as you can imagine. What is winter weather in Illinois typically like? Winter weather in Illinois is often cold, snowy, and lovely, but it does vary from year to year, or even day to day! Of course the northern areas of our state see more snow and colder temperatures, but typically all of Illinois sees snow throughout the winter. If you’ve never been to our state in the winter, here are 10 tips to survive winter in Illinois.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Illinois is no stranger to snow, but we have definitely been pummeled by some massive storms over the years. The storm of 1967 is the largest blizzard in Illinois ever recorded in the Chicago area as a record 23 inches of snow fell. The fact that it was somewhat unexpected also made this one of the biggest snowstorms in Illinois history and one that locals still talk about. 1979 was also a year for the record books as our state experienced an epic arctic freeze.
What is the most snow ever recorded in Illinois?
If you had been around in the year 1900, you would have definitely needed a warm coat. This year over a century ago saw incredible amounts of snow and memorable winter weather in Illinois. 36 inches of snow fell in a 24-hour period in February of 1900, which caused incredible chaos back then, as you can imagine.
What is winter weather in Illinois typically like?
Winter weather in Illinois is often cold, snowy, and lovely, but it does vary from year to year, or even day to day! Of course the northern areas of our state see more snow and colder temperatures, but typically all of Illinois sees snow throughout the winter. If you’ve never been to our state in the winter, here are 10 tips to survive winter in Illinois.
