Chicago is closely monitoring the seasonal snowfall for 2025-26, comparing it to previous years to highlight significant variations. According to the Chicago Tribune, the area typically expects 38.4 inches of snow annually, based on data from the National Weather Service. However, the 2024-25 season saw only 17.6 inches, a considerable drop from the average. Historically, the highest snowfall recorded in a single season was 89.7 inches in 1978-79, while the lowest was 9.8 inches in 1920-21.