Chicago's Biggest Weather Stories of 2014

It was a big year in the Windy City when it comes to record-breaking weather

The year 2014 could very well be remembered in Chicago as "the year of the polar vortex."

It was a big year in the Windy City when it comes to record-breaking weather. Here's a look back at some of the big weather events of the year.

1. Polar Vortex 

Chicago faced a bout of dangerous, record-breaking cold temperatures in January.

Temperatures dipped to -16 degrees on Jan. 6 with wind chills in the -40 to -50 degree range in some areas.

The historic freeze shuttered schools and businesses across the country at the start of the first full work week of 2014. Flights, trains and bus transportation were disrupted, many were left without power and even parts of the country used to fending off hypothermia and frostbite had to take extra precautions as temperatures and wind chills approached record levels.

2. Chicago Has One of the Snowiest Winters on Record

The Chicago area saw snow totals near 80 inches for the winter of 2014. By April 15, O’Hare Airport had recorded 82 inches of snow, making it the city’s third snowiest on record since 1884. The second snowiest seasonal was the 82.3 inches recorded in 1977-78.

3. City Has Third-Coldest Meteorological Winter

The city saw its third coldest meteorological winter, with an average temperature of 18.8 degrees.

4. City Sees One of the Earliest Snowfalls on Record

October snowfall marked one of the earliest snowfalls in Chicago weather history.

5. Fall Cool Streak Sets New Record

Chilly September temperatures reached record-setting status in the city.

6. August Flooding

Hot summer weather brought a weekend of rain to Chicago that left some areas flooded.

7.  8 Tornadoes Touch Down in July Storm

Eight tornadoes touched down in Illinois and northwest Indiana during a July storm.

8. May Snow

Chicago's winter didn't end in spring. In fact, the area saw snow in May!

Contact Us