Illinois – Chicago, Rockford, Peoria and Springfield may be heading toward a warmer-than-normal winter, but Illinois’ historical statewide annual snowfall average of approximately 30.17 inches offers an important reminder: El Niño does not eliminate snowstorms, dangerous cold or winter travel disruptions through March.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Oct. 15, 2026, winter outlook, above-normal temperatures are favored across much of Illinois from December through February. However, the seasonal forecast does not predict individual storms or guarantee a mild winter from beginning to end.
What Illinois’ Snowfall History Actually Shows According to historical snowfall records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) average at 30.17 inches, although totals vary considerably between northern, central and southern Illinois…