The February 1-2, 2011, blizzard crossed through much of central and northern Illinois. By overlaying the snowfall map over the 2000 Census data using GIS software, we can estimate the number of people in Illinois affected by the storm. A rule of thumb in winter storms is that economic impacts become significant in areas with 6 inches or more of snow.
From the map, about 10.9 million Illinois residents were in areas with 6 inches or more of snow in the February 1-2 storm. Furthermore, about 9.8 million Illinois residents were in areas with 12 inches or more of snow. And about 1.5 million Illinois residents were in areas with 18 inches or more of snow.
Disclaimer: all snowfall totals that went into this map are preliminary and subject to change. The census data are from 2000 and may not reflect current population levels.
Snowfall Totals from around Illinois
The winter storm of February 1-2, 2011, will be remembered by many in northern and central Illinois. The National Weather Service (NWS) did an excellent job of producing forecasts and warnings on this storm. In the aftermath, we have began collecting the snowfall measurements from a variety of networks. Rather than list all the data here, I have provided some links to data sources.
Snowfall totals and some maps provided by NWS offices are available here:
- Central Illinois (Lincoln IL office)
- Western and Southwestern Illinois (St. Louis MO office)
- Northwest Illinois (Davenport IA office)
- Northeast Illinois (Chicago office)
Here is a preliminary look at snowfall totals across the Midwest. Snowfall amounts in excess of 12 inches extend from Oklahoma, into Missouri, the northern half of Illinois, and on into northern Indiana and southern Michigan.
And zooming in on northern Illinois.
Illinois Record Snowfall by County
According to information at the National Climatic Data Center, here are the record 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day snowfall totals by county. These are based on data through December 2006. At most locations, snowfall is only measured once a day and many snow storms can last more than one day. Therefore, the 2- and 3-day snowfalls may be more accurate in identifying the big snow events.
Illinois
Record 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Snowfall for Annual for stations sorted by county.
County name | Station name | 1-Day Snowfall | 2-Day Snowfall | 3-Day Snowfall | NYRS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADAMS | GOLDEN | 12.5 | 13.0 | 15.0 | 93 |
ADAMS | PAYSON | 10.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 52 |
ADAMS | QUINCY | 12.7 | 16.0 | 16.5 | 77 |
ADAMS | QUINCY DAM 21 | 10.0 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 65 |
ADAMS | QUINCY FAA AIRPORT | 10.9 | 10.9 | 10.9 | 53 |
ADAMS | QUINCY MEMORIAL BRIDGE | 9.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 | 73 |
ALEXANDER | CAIRO 3 N | 12.8 | 12.8 | 13.8 | 54 |
BOND | GREENVILLE 2 NE | 14.0 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 111 |
BROWN | MOUNT STERLING | 11.2 | 14.0 | 18.0 | 65 |
BUREAU | TISKILWA 2 E | 15.0 | 17.3 | 19.3 | 94 |
BUREAU | WALNUT | 18.0 | 21.0 | 22.0 | 113 |
CALHOUN | HARDIN | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 27 |
CARROLL | MOUNT CARROLL | 12.5 | 18.0 | 18.3 | 112 |
CASS | BEARDSTOWN | 12.0 | 13.0 | 13.8 | 90 |
CASS | VIRGINIA | 12.0 | 15.1 | 16.0 | 44 |
CHAMPAIGN | RANTOUL | 16.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 83 |
CHAMPAIGN | URBANA | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 105 |
CHRISTIAN | KINCAID | 10.3 | 12.0 | 13.5 | 32 |
CHRISTIAN | MORRISONVILLE | 9.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 29 |
CHRISTIAN | MORRISONVILLE 4 SE | 10.0 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 75 |
CHRISTIAN | PANA 3 E | 11.1 | 14.6 | 17.8 | 109 |
CHRISTIAN | TAYLORVILLE | 11.0 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 38 |
CLARK | CASEY | 12.5 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 92 |
CLARK | MARSHALL | 10.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 48 |
CLAY | CLAY CITY 6 SSE | 9.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 30 |
CLAY | FLORA 5 NW | 12.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 113 |
CLINTON | CENTRALIA | 19.7 | 23.7 | 23.7 | 69 |
COLES | CHARLESTON | 12.0 | 13.0 | 18.0 | 110 |
COLES | MATTOON | 11.0 | 13.0 | 14.0 | 73 |
COOK | BARRINGTON 3 SW | 16.0 | 23.0 | 24.0 | 43 |
COOK | CHICAGO BOTANICAL GARDEN | 12.0 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 26 |
COOK | CHICAGO MIDWAY AP 3 SW | 17.6 | 22.1 | 22.1 | 79 |
COOK | CHICAGO OHARE WSO AP | 13.4 | 13.4 | 13.4 | 49 |
COOK | PARK FOREST | 14.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 55 |
CRAWFORD | HUTSONVILLE POWER PLANT | 8.0 | 8.0 | 10.5 | 61 |
CRAWFORD | PALESTINE 2 W | 12.5 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 114 |
CUMBERLAND | GREENUP | 13.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 62 |
DE WITT | CLINTON 1 SSW | 14.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 97 |
DE WITT | FARMER CITY | 8.0 | 9.0 | 13.0 | 41 |
DEKALB | DE KALB | 15.6 | 19.1 | 19.1 | 41 |
DEKALB | SYCAMORE | 12.0 | 14.1 | 18.0 | 73 |
DOUGLAS | TUSCOLA | 15.0 | 16.0 | 17.5 | 114 |
DUPAGE | WHEATON 3 SE | 14.0 | 16.4 | 16.4 | 78 |
EDGAR | PARIS WATERWORKS | 17.0 | 20.0 | 21.5 | 111 |
EDWARDS | ALBION | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 89 |
EFFINGHAM | EFFINGHAM | 14.5 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 103 |
FAYETTE | VANDALIA | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 61 |
FORD | GIBSON CITY 1 E | 10.0 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 72 |
FORD | PIPER CITY | 9.0 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 46 |
FORD | ROBERTS 3 N | 10.0 | 10.9 | 10.9 | 21 |
FRANKLIN | BENTON 2 N | 11.0 | 13.0 | 15.0 | 47 |
FULTON | ASTORIA | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 34 |
FULTON | AVON 5 NE | 12.0 | 16.5 | 17.0 | 57 |
FULTON | CANTON 1 ESE | 10.0 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 65 |
GALLATIN | SHAWNEETOWN OLD TOWN | 9.0 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 81 |
GREENE | GREENFIELD | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 30 |
GREENE | WHITE HALL 1 E | 14.0 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 111 |
GRUNDY | CHANNAHON DRESDEN ISLAND | 17.0 | 18.0 | 18.5 | 62 |
GRUNDY | MORRIS | 10.0 | 13.0 | 13.5 | 60 |
GRUNDY | MORRIS 1 NW | 12.0 | 15.0 | 16.0 | 72 |
HAMILTON | MCLEANSBORO 2 ENE | 11.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 110 |
HANCOCK | BENTLEY | 11.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 59 |
HANCOCK | LA HARPE | 14.0 | 15.0 | 17.0 | 112 |
HARDIN | ELIZABETHTOWN 1 NW | 8.5 | 9.8 | 10.0 | 26 |
HARDIN | ROSICLARE 5 NW | 9.8 | 13.6 | 13.6 | 38 |
HENDERSON | GLADSTONE DAM 18 | 9.0 | 14.0 | 15.0 | 68 |
HENRY | GALVA | 13.0 | 18.0 | 19.0 | 113 |
HENRY | GENESEO | 16.0 | 16.6 | 16.6 | 97 |
HENRY | KEWANEE 1 E | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 66 |
IROQUOIS | WATSEKA 2 NW | 16.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 110 |
JACKSON | CARBONDALE SEWAGE PLANT | 10.0 | 13.0 | 13.1 | 105 |
JACKSON | GRAND TOWER 2 N | 12.0 | 12.5 | 15.0 | 67 |
JACKSON | MAKANDA 1 NW | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 26 |
JASPER | NEWTON 2 NE | 10.7 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 84 |
JASPER | STE MARIE | 10.0 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 60 |
JEFFERSON | MT VERNON 3 NE | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 112 |
JERSEY | GRAFTON | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 90 |
JERSEY | JERSEYVILLE 2 SW | 12.0 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 66 |
JO DAVIESS | GALENA | 14.5 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 88 |
JO DAVIESS | STOCKTON 3 NNE | 12.0 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 63 |
JOHNSON | NEW BURNSIDE | 13.5 | 16.3 | 16.7 | 70 |
KANE | AURORA | 15.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 112 |
KANE | ELGIN | 16.5 | 21.0 | 22.0 | 102 |
KANKAKEE | KANKAKEE 3 SW | 18.5 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 57 |
KANKAKEE | KANKAKEE METRO WASTWTR | 13.0 | 16.0 | 17.0 | 36 |
KNOX | GALESBURG | 11.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 96 |
LA SALLE | LA SALLE PERU | 12.9 | 13.3 | 13.5 | 54 |
LA SALLE | MARSEILLES LOCK | 15.0 | 16.0 | 17.0 | 66 |
LA SALLE | OTTAWA 4 SW | 12.0 | 16.0 | 16.3 | 115 |
LA SALLE | PERU | 11.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 44 |
LA SALLE | UTICA STARVED ROCK DAM | 17.0 | 18.5 | 18.5 | 62 |
LAKE | ANTIOCH | 19.0 | 21.0 | 21.0 | 88 |
LAKE | LAKE VILLA 2 NE | 17.3 | 17.6 | 17.9 | 21 |
LAKE | WAUKEGAN | 14.0 | 14.8 | 15.3 | 54 |
LAWRENCE | LAWRENCEVILLE | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 41 |
LAWRENCE | LAWRENCEVILLE 3 WSW | 9.2 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 25 |
LEE | DIXON 1 NW | 14.0 | 19.0 | 20.2 | 114 |
LEE | PAW PAW 1 E | 14.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 95 |
LIVINGSTON | PONTIAC | 16.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 104 |
LIVINGSTON | STREATOR 3 SE | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 103 |
LOGAN | LINCOLN | 13.0 | 14.6 | 14.6 | 101 |
LOGAN | MOUNT PULASKI | 13.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 78 |
MACON | DECATUR | 13.5 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 113 |
MACOUPIN | CARLINVILLE | 14.0 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 110 |
MACOUPIN | MEDORA | 14.0 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 62 |
MACOUPIN | MOUNT OLIVE 1 E | 12.5 | 14.0 | 16.0 | 66 |
MACOUPIN | VIRDEN | 11.0 | 14.0 | 15.0 | 66 |
MADISON | ALTON MELVIN PRICE L&D | 13.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 56 |
MADISON | EDWARDSVILLE 2 W | 15.0 | 16.9 | 16.9 | 94 |
MARION | SALEM | 13.5 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 92 |
MARSHALL | LACON 1 N | 12.0 | 12.8 | 14.8 | 51 |
MASON | HAVANA | 12.0 | 12.3 | 13.0 | 74 |
MASON | HAVANA 4 NNE | 14.0 | 16.0 | 17.0 | 83 |
MASON | MASON CITY 1 W | 8.0 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 50 |
MASSAC | BROOKPORT DAM 52 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 77 |
MCDONOUGH | MACOMB | 12.0 | 13.0 | 14.0 | 104 |
MCHENRY | MARENGO | 12.0 | 14.0 | 16.0 | 114 |
MCHENRY | MC HENRY | 14.0 | 17.8 | 17.8 | 33 |
MCLEAN | BLOOMINGTON NORMAL | 20.0 | 21.0 | 21.0 | 85 |
MCLEAN | BLOOMINGTON WATERWORKS | 9.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 58 |
MCLEAN | CHENOA | 12.0 | 13.0 | 13.5 | 60 |
MCLEAN | NORMAL | 12.0 | 14.5 | 15.5 | 30 |
MENARD | PETERSBURG 2 SW | 6.9 | 11.2 | 11.2 | 19 |
MENARD | PETERSBURG 3 SSW | 8.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 52 |
MERCER | ALEDO | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 107 |
MERCER | KEITHSBURG | 10.0 | 13.0 | 15.0 | 78 |
MERCER | NEW BOSTON DAM 17 | 12.0 | 15.0 | 16.0 | 60 |
MONROE | WATERLOO | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 94 |
MONTGOMERY | HILLSBORO | 14.0 | 18.0 | 19.0 | 107 |
MORGAN | JACKSONVILLE 2 E | 12.0 | 14.0 | 15.0 | 112 |
OGLE | ROCHELLE 6 NW | 11.1 | 13.0 | 15.6 | 55 |
PEORIA | CHILLICOTHE | 11.5 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 66 |
PEORIA | PEORIA | 12.2 | 12.5 | 13.7 | 44 |
PEORIA | PEORIA WSO AIRPORT | 8.1 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 74 |
PEORIA | PRINCEVILLE | 15.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 80 |
PERRY | DU QUOIN 4 SE | 14.0 | 16.0 | 22.0 | 113 |
PERRY | PINCKNEYVILLE 2 N | 7.0 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 19 |
PIATT | MONTICELLO | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 28 |
PIATT | MONTICELLO NO 2 | 12.0 | 18.0 | 22.0 | 40 |
PIKE | BARRY WATERWORKS | 11.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 36 |
PIKE | GRIGGSVILLE | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 106 |
PIKE | PLEASANT HILL | 8.0 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 36 |
POPE | DIXON SPRINGS AGR CENTER | 10.5 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 34 |
POPE | GOLCONDA RIVER | 9.0 | 10.8 | 11.5 | 81 |
PULASKI | GRAND CHAIN DAM 53 | 10.0 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 36 |
RANDOLPH | CHESTER | 13.2 | 15.5 | 15.5 | 64 |
RANDOLPH | PRAIRIE DUROCHER | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 45 |
RANDOLPH | RED BUD 5 SE | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 59 |
RANDOLPH | SPARTA 1 W | 12.0 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 114 |
RICHLAND | OLNEY 2 S | 12.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 112 |
ROCK ISLAND | ILLINOIS CITY DAM 16 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 14.0 | 64 |
ROCK ISLAND | MOLINE WSO AP | 14.8 | 17.1 | 18.4 | 58 |
SALINE | HARRISBURG | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 104 |
SANGAMON | SPRINGFIELD WSO AP | 17.0 | 17.4 | 17.4 | 59 |
SCHUYLER | RUSHVILLE | 14.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 112 |
SCOTT | BLUFFS | 8.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 47 |
SHELBY | WINDSOR | 14.0 | 14.0 | 16.5 | 103 |
ST. CLAIR | BELLEVILLE SCOTT AFB | 14.8 | 14.8 | 14.8 | 59 |
ST. CLAIR | CAHOKIA | 11.0 | 12.0 | 15.0 | 36 |
ST. CLAIR | EAST ST LOUIS | 14.0 | 15.5 | 15.5 | 32 |
STARK | BRADFORD 1 S | 9.2 | 14.3 | 14.3 | 27 |
STARK | TOULON | 10.0 | 11.2 | 11.2 | 40 |
STEPHENSON | FREEPORT | 14.0 | 16.0 | 18.0 | 66 |
STEPHENSON | FREEPORT WASTE WTR PLT | 9.5 | 13.3 | 15.3 | 59 |
TAZEWELL | MACKINAW | 11.0 | 13.5 | 15.5 | 66 |
UNION | ANNA 2 NNE | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 110 |
VERMILION | DANVILLE | 14.0 | 16.2 | 16.9 | 106 |
VERMILION | DANVILLE SEWAGE PLANT | 11.0 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 59 |
VERMILION | HOOPESTON 1 NE | 12.3 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 105 |
VERMILION | SIDELL 5 NW | 11.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 67 |
WABASH | MOUNT CARMEL | 14.0 | 14.0 | 15.0 | 72 |
WABASH | MOUNT CARMEL 3 N | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 70 |
WARREN | MONMOUTH | 15.0 | 17.4 | 17.4 | 114 |
WASHINGTON | NASHVILLE 3 NW | 14.0 | 17.3 | 17.3 | 107 |
WAYNE | FAIRFIELD RADIO WFIW | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 111 |
WAYNE | WAYNE CITY 1 N | 8.2 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 41 |
WHITE | CARMI 6 NW | 10.2 | 10.2 | 11.3 | 79 |
WHITESIDE | FULTON L&D #13 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 61 |
WHITESIDE | MORRISON | 13.5 | 15.0 | 17.0 | 111 |
WILL | JOLIET | 10.5 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 34 |
WILL | JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 55 |
WILL | PEOTONE | 14.0 | 19.0 | 19.7 | 67 |
WILLIAMSON | MARION 4 NNE | 17.5 | 20.7 | 20.7 | 57 |
WINNEBAGO | ROCKFORD WSO AP | 10.6 | 11.5 | 12.3 | 55 |
WOODFORD | MINONK | 14.0 | 15.0 | 15.5 | 112 |
Whether or Not snow fell on each day. All snowfall amounts are in inches. NYRS = Number of Years with non-missing data. NA = Not Applicable, or insufficient data to compute. * = value > 0 but less than units resolution. |
Link:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ussc/USSCAppController?action=station_select_countysf&state=11
First Half of January – Slightly Colder than Normal
The Illinois statewide average temperature for January 1-15, 2010, was 21.5 degrees, 2.3 degrees below normal. The statewide average precipitation for the same period was 0.75 inches, 84 percent of normal. Precipitation includes both rainfall and the water content of any snowfall.
After a very active December in terms of snowfall, January has been relatively quiet so far. The only significant snowfall totals are in western Illinois and along Lake Michigan. However, the persistently cold weather means the snow has stuck around.