We had our 15th warmest December in MSN.
For the year overall it was:
10th warmest
12th driest (1976 was the last time we had a year this dry)
56th least snowiest
looks cold to start. Multiple arctic air pushes in the first week. If the long range models and teleconnections are to be believe, if you want winter this is your month to get it
Got 2.5” last night. About half of that melted away after the storm today. Expecting a few more inches tomorrow which will have a bit more staying power with colder air funneling in
https://www.weather.gov/lot/observation_history
Here's your answer, moved to Midway in 1942 and O'Hare in 1980. Puts those really warm temps back in the first half of the 20th century in much better perspective
in fact, Larry Cosgrove was pretty awful last winter and spring. He consistently called for a frigid March and a super torch April and May in the midwest and NE and that turned out horribly