1979 Chicago blizzard
Category 4 "Crippling" ( NOAA: 14.42) | |
Type | Blizzard Winter storm |
---|---|
Formed | January 13, 1979 |
Dissipated | January 14, 1979 |
Lowest pressure | Unknown |
Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 21 inches (53 cm) |
Fatalities | 5 fatalities, 15 injuries |
Damage | More than $1 billion USD |
Power outages | Across the city |
Areas affected | Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, U.S. |
The Chicago blizzard of 1979 was a major blizzard that affected northern Illinois and northwest Indiana on January 13–14, 1979. It was one of the largest Chicago snowstorms in history at the time, with 21 inches (53 cm) of snowfall in the two-day period.[1] Only 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 4 inches (10 cm) of snow was expected[2] but by the end of Sunday, January 14, the depth of snow on the ground peaked at 29 inches (74 cm).[3] The blizzard lasted for a total of 38 hours. At its peak, wind gusts reached speeds of 39 miles (63 km) per hour.[4] Five people died during the blizzard, with approximately 15 others seriously injured due to conditions created by the storm. One of the five deaths came when a snowplow driver went berserk, hitting 34 cars and ramming a man.[3]
After the storm
Snow remained on the ground until March 6, a full fifty-one days.
See also
- List of Regional Snowfall Index Category 4 winter storms
References
- .
- ^ Benzkofer, Stephan (January 5, 2014). "1979 Blizzard was Debacle". Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Changnon, Stanley A. Jr.; Changnon, David; Stone, Phyllis (1980). Illinois Third Consecutive Severe Winter: 1978-1979 (PDF) (Report). Illinois State Water Survey. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ a b "2011 Blizzard Storm Total Snowfall Adjusted & In-Depth Look at Chicago's Top 4 Big Snows". National Weather Service. National Weather Service. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ a b "Chicago elects Byrne". Bangor Daily News. Bangor, Me. April 4, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2012 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ a b "Chicago elects Byrne". Bangor Daily News. Bangor, Me. April 4, 1979. p. 10. Retrieved June 17, 2012 – via Google News Archive.