2011 Was Our 'Snowmageddon', Chicago's Groundhog Day Blizzard, Our 'Snowpocalypse

As we slowly melt out, and in my case, chop out, from the remnants of the Winter of '21, I am reminded of another major snow event, now ten years in the past.

There was an article about it in the January 31, 2021, Chicago Tribune "A freak of nature paralyzed Chicago" by William Lee.

"Ten years ago, a unique storm of extremes tested every crack in Chicago's infrastructure, halted most forms of transportation and humbled a city that prides itself on powering through any kind of weather.

"This wasn't the city's biggest blast of  snow.  Generations of kids were brought up on stories of then towering mounds of snow in the 1967 blizzard, which inspired author George R.R. Martin's iconic ice wall in "Game of Thrones" and the 1979 blizzard that swung a mayoral election, among others."

But this one was particularly mean.  It hit hard and it hit fast.  Lots of snow and lots and lots of wind.  I mean lots of wind.

This one was also called "Snowpocalypse."

It comes in officially as Chicago's 3rd biggest snowstorm.

To see the Top Ten snowstorms in Chicago, click on the Chicago Blizzard of 1967 label.

--CootSnow

A Historic Snowstorm Yesterday: #4 Snowstorm in History

For the third day this new year, no school in Chicago and most of the Northwest Suburbs.  The first two times were because of Polar Vortex Cold, temps under zero and even worse windchills.  Today it is because of the lots of snow and blowing snow we received yesterday until the wee hours of this morning.

I went out twice yesterday and both times cleared off 6-8 inches of snow over most of the driveway.  Both times, we had a five foot wide snowdrift about 2-3 feet high at the top of the driveway by the garage.  I definitely need a bigger snowblower.

I heard several counties finally announced that they were going to stop clearing the roads until the wind and snow stopped.  Winds blew all day at  20-30 mph and anything cleared was covered within minutes.  I cleared twice because my snowblower in underpowered for amounts over six inches.

Some 19.3 inches of snow recorded at O'Hare, making this the fourth biggest snowfall in Chicago history.  The "champion" is still the Blizzard of '67.

I hope the snowmobilers and skiiers are happy.

I Hate Snow.  --Cooter

Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida

Three other buddies and I just got back from Southwest Florida from a six-day vacation. Hard to beat plane fares, car rentals and motel rooms for $468 apiece.

We were all there to enjoy some warm weather after this lousy winter, although the other three are all big-time snowmobilers (although Sir Frank earned his pathfinder award when he tried to drive through mighty cold open water back in January).

We flew from Chicago's O'Hare on the 3rd, the morning after Blizz '11, one of only few leaving that morning. Flew into the Southwest Florida Airport.

Shoveling and moving four-foot drifts less than 18 hours earlier, now stepping out into 80 degree + weather. I can live with that.

Spent most of the time in Cape Coral, with side trips to Pine and Sanibel islands and Ft. Myers Beach.

Give Me That Warmth!! --Cooter

Bob's Aching Back (Or, Chicago's Blizzard of 1967)

Talked with my brother Bob yesterday in connection with the horrible thing at my alma mater, Northern Illinois.

After awhile, we got to talking about the snow that we're getting clobbered with this winter. That brought back fond (well, for me) memories of the Blizzard of 1967.

Bob has not really forgiven me for it, even to this day. Back in November, 1966, I had broken my leg in wrestling practice a few days after my first match (which I won, by the way). I had a cast all the way up to my hip and this was a big ole plaster one. That took care of my having to do any chores around the house. 

Then came the Blizzard of '67 and we got socked with 24 inches of snow out in Palatine. Manning the snow shovels was part of my brother's and my job description. Dad didn't need a snowblower (and I'm not even sure they had them back then) with two strapping young lads to clear the white stuff off. Guess who couldn't do any snow shoveling due to an old sports injury?

Bob claimed that I knew it was coming and broke my foot on purpose. You never heard more grumbling as he put on his boots, coat, cap, and gloves and trudged out the door. I just sat there playing my NHL hockey game I'd gotten for Christmas with a big old smile on my face. I did feel some pity for the poor guy, but that broken leg had finally come in handy.

Yesterday, he told me the snow was so deep, he had to remove it in layers which took a long time. He was also mad at the Catholics because there was a church and school across the street. In Palatine, you had to also clear off sidewalks. His sidewalk clearing job was only the width of the shovel. He didn't care if people had to walk sideways to pass, he would shovel no more.

Sorry 'Bout that Dear Bro...Heh, Heh, Heh. --Cooter