Dear Tom,
I want to put my snow blower away for the season. What are the chances of a heavy
snow in March or April?
Mike Hunnicutt Woodridge, Ill.
Dear Mike,
You can put your snow blower away, but don't be surprised if you have to do some
shoveling. In Chicago, late season snowfalls tend to be heavy and wet, "heart-attack"
snows. Even though the average date of the city's last 1-inch-plus snowfall is March
20, some of the city's biggest snows have occurred after that date, including 19.2
inches March 25-26, 1930 and 10-11 inches April 2-3, 1975. In 1970 Chicago was
rocked by two late-season snows--14.3 inches fell March 25-26 with an additional
10.7 inches falling April 1-2. Chicago's latest major snow was a 6.8 inches April 15-17,
1961; so it is a good idea not to put your snow blower away until you file your income
taxes on April 15.
