After several milder seasons, the early phase of the 2025–2026 winter has ushered in a series of cold fronts and low‑pressure systems that have blanketed many U.S. cities in snow. Government agencies monitoring these storms note that mid‑December 2025 has been defined by a rapid succession of snow events affecting the Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Northeast, while powerful systems also swept across the Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest. The result has been unusual snowfall totals for many urban areas and the earliest start to the snow season in some regions since the late 1970s[1]. Below is an overview of the principal cities dealing with snowfall in late 2025.
Snow‐laden Midwest Cities
Chicago (Illinois). A fast‑moving low‑pressure system crossed the Plains and Great Lakes on December 6 – 7, delivering widespread snow across northern Illinois[2]. Official totals show Rockford International Airport received 5.8 inches and Chicago O’Hare Airport saw 4.8 inches[3]. Suburban communities such as Streamwood, Hoffman Estates and Glenview reported 6–7 inches[4]. This event contributed to a “roaring” start to the 2025–2026 snow season: by December 7 both Chicago and Rockford had each recorded 17.1 inches of snow, nearly matching the totals for the entire previous winter[1]. Notably, Chicago experienced nine days with measurable snow between November 9 and December 7, including four days with at least an inch of accumulation[5].
Rockford (Illinois). Rockford’s 17.1‑inch season total by early December set a new milestone; local climate records indicate that this is the snowiest start to the season in Rockford since reliable records began in 1905[1]. Many neighborhoods along and north of Interstate 88 picked up 3–7 inches in the December 6 – 7 clipper system[6]. As the month continued, additional clipper systems and lake‑effect snow bands maintained the city’s winter landscape.
Indianapolis and central Indiana. Between December 11 and 12, two “clipper” systems followed by Arctic air brought multiple rounds of snow to central Indiana[7]. Official public information statements list county‑level totals; Washington (Daviess County) recorded 6.0 inches, Bloomfield (Greene County) reported 5.8 inches, Shoals (Martin County) measured 5.8 inches and Sullivan received 5.2 inches[8]. Even Indianapolis International Airport reported about two inches[9]. These accumulations were accompanied by record cold, producing hazardous travel and prompting advisories across the region[7].
Cities in the Ohio Valley
Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton (Ohio). A storm on December 1 – 2 delivered enough snow for these Ohio cities to break daily records. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG) measured 4.2 inches, a new record for December 2 (the previous record was 2.2 inches in 1929)[10]. Columbus (KCMH) saw 4.7 inches[11], and Dayton (KDAY) reported 3.6 inches[12]. The same system brought 5–6 inches to communities in southeastern Indiana and northern Kentucky[13]. Two weeks later, on December 13, another low‑pressure system crossed the Ohio Valley. Snowfall totals included 5.8 inches at the NWS office in Wilmington, 4.9 inches at Cincinnati, 5.4 inches at Columbus, and 3.7 inches at Dayton[14]. These amounts established new daily records for December 13 in Cincinnati and Columbus[14]. Collectively, the events made December one of the snowiest starts to winter in the Ohio Valley in recent years.
Great Lakes and Upper Midwest
Upper Michigan (Marquette region). An early‑morning briefing from the National Weather Service in Marquette on December 19 warned of multiple hazards, including strong winds and light to moderate snowfall for the Upper Peninsula. The forecast called for a fluffy 1 – 4 inches of new snow late Friday into Saturday[15]. It noted that blowing snow would reduce visibility and that the greatest accumulations would occur in the higher terrain of the western and central U.P.[16]. Residents were advised to prepare for slick roads and to watch for subsequent systems bringing additional snow[16].
Cities in northern Michigan. A national storm summary covering the December 17 – 19 wind and winter storm reported that Lake‑effect snow belts near the upper and central Great Lakes picked up several inches. Selected preliminary totals listed Allouez (Keweenaw County) with 4.5 inches, Ironwood (Gogebic County) with 3.8 inches, Holland in the Lower Peninsula with 3.4 inches, and Hancock with about 3.1 inches[17]. These amounts occurred while the storm’s strong winds battered the region, producing gusts over 50 mph and contributing to lake‑effect snow bands.[17]
Minnesota and Wisconsin. The same storm brought light snow to parts of Minnesota. Preliminary totals noted Lake City with 5.0 inches, International Falls with 4.5 inches, Kabetogama with 4.0 inches, Big Falls with 3.7 inches, and Grand Marais with 3.5 inches[18]. Across the state line in Wisconsin, lake‑effect snow deposited 6.0 inches near Pence, 5.7 inches near Cornucopia, and 4–5 inches at other locations on the Bayfield Peninsula[19]. These amounts, while modest compared with past blizzards, indicate the widespread nature of the December storm, which also generated gusty winds and heavy snow in the Dakotas and Wyoming[20].
Northeast Cities
New York City (New York). New York City Emergency Management issued a weather alert on December 12 for a coastal storm expected to bring the season’s first measurable snow. The advisory predicted that snow could begin late Saturday night, with the heaviest accumulation between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday[21]. Citywide totals were projected at 2 – 2.5 inches, with localized amounts of 3 – 3.5 inches in Staten Island, southern Brooklyn and southeastern Queens[21]. Officials warned that even light snow could create slippery roads and advised residents to limit driving and plan for extra travel time[22]. The alert emphasized coordination with the National Weather Service and noted that hundreds of salt spreaders were ready to keep roads passable[23].
Northwestern New Jersey. On December 1, the Governor of New Jersey declared a state of emergency for Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties due to a potentially significant winter storm. Authorities anticipated one to six inches of snowfall, with sleet and freezing rain also possible[24]. The declaration mobilized transportation crews and warned drivers to exercise caution[25]. Residents were urged to follow local forecasts provided by the National Weather Service offices in New York and Philadelphia[26]. The storm’s impact underscored the early arrival of winter weather in the densely populated Northeast.
Impact on Transportation and Safety
From the northern Plains to the Atlantic coast, these snow events affected travel and safety. The December 6 – 7 system in Illinois created heavy banded snowfall that tapered off by daybreak but left roads slippery and required plowing efforts across Chicago’s suburbs[27]. In central Indiana, record cold accompanying the snow created hazardous travel for commuters and led to multiple accidents[7]. In the Ohio Valley, the back‑to‑back snow events caused delays at airports and led to road closures in hilly terrain. The Upper Michigan briefing warned that strong winds would combine with light snow to create areas of blowing and drifting, particularly along highways from Copper Harbor to Ironwood[16]. New York City’s alert highlighted the risk of slick roads during the morning commute and advised using public transportation[22].
Conclusion
The 2025 winter season has begun with a remarkable burst of snowfall across the United States. Urban centers in the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Northeast recorded daily snow totals not seen in decades, and lake‑effect belts around the Great Lakes experienced persistent snowbands. From Chicago’s 17‑inch seasonal total by early December[1] to the first accumulations anticipated in New York City[21], the early winter storms of 2025 highlight the variability of the nation’s climate. These events also illustrate the importance of official agencies: public information statements, briefing packets and emergency declarations provide crucial data on snowfall amounts, records and safety guidelines. As the season progresses, residents across the country should continue to monitor updates from their local National Weather Service offices and emergency management agencies. Preparation, caution and reliance on verified reports will be essential as more winter systems develop.
References
- National Weather Service Chicago event summary for the December 6 – 7, 2025 snow event[28][3].
- National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio, public information statements for the December 1 – 2 and December 13, 2025 snow events[10][14].
- National Weather Service Indianapolis event summary for December 11 – 12, 2025 snow and record cold[8].
- National Weather Service Chicago publication on the early 2025–2026 snowfall season[1].
- Weather Prediction Center storm summary for the December 17 – 19, 2025 wind and winter storm[17][18][19].
- National Weather Service Marquette (Upper Michigan) multi‑hazard storm briefing, December 19 – 20, 2025[15][16].
- New York City Emergency Management press release warning of snow for December 13 – 14, 2025[22][21].
- State of New Jersey press release declaring a state of emergency for the winter storm on December 1, 2025[24].
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