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

The Speedwell-- Part 5: Leaks Are Upon Us

The Mayflower and Speedwell began their voyage to the New World from Southampton on 5 August 1620, but the Speedwell again began taking on water, and again the two ships had to put into harbor for Speedwell repairs.  This time at Dartmouth.

By now, it was getting very late to attempt am Atlantic crossing as winter was fast approaching.  Much better to start a new colony in the spring or summer to give the colonist a chance to prepare for winter.  The Speedwell's leaking problem was putting the whole expedition into jeopardy.

Repairs were made and a third attempt by the two ships was made.  The Speedwell did its usual leaking and a return to Dartmouth.  This time the decision was made to get rid of the Speedwell.  Some of its passengers transferred to the Mayflowers and the rest stayed in England.

Now, the severely overcrowded Mayflower was to set off again on September 6, 1620.

Winter's A'Coming.  --Cooter

A Coal Shortage in DeKalb in 1917

From the February 8, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The coal situation in DeKalb is tighter right now than it has been in some time, especially as to coke and hard coal.  There is a fairly good supply of soft coal but hardly a wagon load or so of other varieties.

"One local coal merchant informs the Chronicle that he has only half a ton in his own cellar and not a pound of coke in the yard.  Others are also hard up for coal to supply their customers.  Another manager of a coke concern states that he will be having to use soft coal in his own house furnace within another day."

Looks like cold days ahead for DeKalb.  Was this a result of the United States preparing to get into World War I or a particularly bad winter?

Hard Coal Better Than Soft Coal.  --Cooter

Chicago's Ten Biggest Snowfalls

From the January 25, 2017, Chicago Tribune.

Since 1885.

1.  Jan. 26-27, 1967--  23 inches    The Blizzard of '67
2.  Jan. 1-3, 1999--  21,6 inches
3.  Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2011--  21.2 inches    The Groundhog Day Blizzard

4.  Jan. 12-14, 1979--  20.3 inches
5.  Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2015  19.3
6.  March 25-26, 1930--  19.2 inches
7.  March 7-8, 1931--  16.2 inches

8.  January 30, 1939--  14.9 inches
9.  Jan. 6-7, 1918--  14.9 inches
10.  Dec. 17-19, 1929--  14.8 inches

Snow me Away.  --Cooter

Chicago's Blizzard of '67-- Part 2: 23 Inches in 29 Hours

The first flakes of snow started falling at 5:02 a.m., on Thursday, January 26, 1967.  And, they continued and got heavier.  It didn't stop until 10:10 a.m., Friday January 27 (fifty years ago today).  Over the course of 29 hours, 23 inches of snow had fallen.

The previous record snowfall for Chicago was 19.2 inches on March 25 and 26, 1930, according to the National Weather service.

Chicago and its suburbs were at a standstill.  An estimated 50,000 cars had simply been abandoned downtown as well as 800 CTA buses.

Further compounding the problem were high winds, gusting up to 50 mph.  The drifts were something else.  Kids would jump off second floor balconies into the snow drifts which nearly reached that height.  And. my family and I lived in Palatine, Illinois, in Chicago's Northwest suburbs.  We were hit as well.

That Was SOME Snow.  --DaCoot

Chicago's Blizzard of '67-- Part 1: The Warm Before the Storm

From the January 25, 2017,  Chicago Tribune "Blizzard of 1967 shut down Chicago," by Nereida Moreno.

Yesterday marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Blizzard of '67, as it has come to be known.  It started January 26th and ended 29 hours later on January 27.  Twenty-three inches of snow fell.

And, this was the impact on a city that was ready for snow in winter.  Not some southern city where an inch shuts down everything.

Earlier in the week, temperatures were unseasonably high, topping out at 65 degrees on January 25, 1967, a very unusually warm day for a Chicago January.  Local weather news predicted at least 4 inches of snow the next day, Thursday, January 26..  However, in Chicago, if you get that warm of a day in the winter, WATCH OUT!!  Something's on its way.

Everyone was getting a case of spring fever.  I wasn't much as I could only go to school and back home as I had broken my leg in wrestling practice back in December.

We had about an inch of snow here yesterday, and snow flurries afterwards, but no more accumulation.  However, eerily, the temps last week were in the 50s and lower 40s earlier this week.

Build Me a Snowman.  --Cooter

No School? Why?-- Part 2: Coal

Fuel shortages in the past also had an impact on pupil attendance.  Students have stayed home because of a lack of ways to heat schools.  This was a relatively common problem during the 19th century and happened quite often in the first quarter of the 20th century.  The most recent time was 1950.

The 1917-1918 school year was particularly bad.  On Dec. 7, 1917, the Tribune reported that coal shortages would extend the upcoming Christmas vacation by seven days as "a fuel conservation measure."   After all, World War I was underway at the time.

 But heavy snow in January prevented coal deliveries and added even more days off for the kids.

Citizen brigades shoveled streets to make them passable.  The children even pitched in.  (Why?  Children working so they get to go to school?)  On Jan. 10, the Tribune reported that "thousands of children volunteered yesterday to dig snow to save schools from closing."

On January 13th schools were ordered closed for another whole week.

Kids Shoveling Snow So They Can Go to School?  --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