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Despite Record Setting Cold Spell, Chicago Meteorological Winter Was Mostly Average

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Meteorological winter officially ended Feb. 28, and despite a record cold spell, it was generally a normal winter.

Temperatures were slightly above average. The average high temperature for the winter was 33.7 degrees, which is .1 degrees above the 1981 to 2010 average, according to the National Weather Service. The average low temperature was 19.7 degrees, which is .6 degrees above normal.

Rain and snow totals were above average as well. 8.09 inches of precipitation was recorded, which is 2.32 inches above normal. There was a total of 28.6 inches of snow recorded in Chicago, which is .5 inches above normal.

However, several daily records were set or tied during the winter:

  • Jan. 28 - Record daily snowfall of 5.0 inches
  • Jan. 30 - Record daily lowest minimum temperature of -23 degrees
  • Jan. 30 - Record daily lowest maximum temperature of -10 degrees
  • Jan. 31 - Record daily lowest minimum temperature of -21 degrees
  • Jan. 31 - Tied record daily lowest maximum temperature of 1 degree
  • Feb. 3 - Record daily highest minimum temperature of 39 degrees

And even though meteorological spring has begun, the first week of March could bring more record breaking cold. The lowest recorded high temperature for March 4 in Chicago is 17 degrees set in 1890. Monday's expected high is 13 degrees. Tuesday's temperatures will be around the records for that days as well. The lowest low temperature recorded for March 5 is 0 degrees and the lowest high temperature is 12 degrees.

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