We may break record for least snowy start to winter

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What a difference a year makes. In this Feb. 2, 2011 file photo, hundreds of cars sit stranded on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago after a historic winter blizzard stranded hundreds of drivers for up to 12 hours overnight. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

Updated: February 11, 2012 8:12AM

Finally, a potential Chicago winter weather record to celebrate.

With little or no snow in the forecast, Chicago may soon break the record for the least-snowiest start to winter.

The only winters in Chicago that have started off with less snowfall through January 10 are 1889-90 when 1.3 inches of snow fell; 1936-37 when 1.4 inches fell; and 2001-02 when 1.7 inches fell, the National Weather Service said.

With no snow expected Monday and Tuesday, Chicago is only at 1.9 inches of snow so far this season.

Assuming Chicago doesn’t officially pick up a half inch of measurable snow or more by Jan. 16, then the 2011-12 winter will move into first place for the lowest snowfall total to date, the weather service said.

And the weather service says although the warm temperatures over the past 37 days have not been record breaking, they’ve still been abnormally warm on several occasions.

The unseasonably warm temperatures in December helped lead to the 15th warmest December on record in Chicago. The conditions continued into the first week of January as well. Near record warmth was recorded on both Jan. 5 and 6.

If you compare this year’s temperature to last year at this time, you’ll see a big difference.

Overall, last year’s daily high temperature during the same 37-day period were either at or consistently below average with the exception of a brief warm spell around Jan. 1, 2011. Overall, December 2010 ended up being the 17th coldest on record in Chicago, the weather service said.

The high on Monday should reach 46 degrees and dip to 31 degrees by night. Tuesday and Wednesday will see highs in the 50s, but Thursday will take a big dip, all the way to 28 degrees and 14 degrees by nightfall, the weather service said.

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