Chicago weather in March 2018 was a stubborn reminder that spring in the Midwest rarely arrives on schedule. After a winter that had already delivered sharp cold snaps and snowstorms, March kept the region locked in a pattern of below-normal temperatures, gusty winds, and repeated rounds of snow. For anyone searching for Chicago weather March 2018, the month stands out as a textbook example of how volatile the city’s transition from winter to spring can be.
The numbers tell a story of persistence more than one single event. O’Hare International Airport finished the month with an average temperature around 37°F, roughly three degrees below normal, while snowfall totaled close to a foot in some parts of the Chicago area. That combination made March 2018 feel less like a gentle thaw and more like an extended winter campaign, especially for commuters, school districts, and anyone watching the forecast for a reliable warm-up.
Chicago Weather March 2018: Temperature Whiplash Across the Month
March 2018 in Chicago was not uniformly cold, but it never allowed residents to settle into spring. The month began with highs mainly in the 30s and 40s, lows in the 20s, and wind chills that made early-morning commutes feel more like January than late winter. Lake Michigan remained cold, and east winds off the water occasionally kept lakeshore neighborhoods even chillier than inland suburbs.
By mid-month, there were brief teases of milder air, with a few afternoons climbing into the 50s in spots. Those breaks were short-lived. Cold fronts quickly erased the gains, and the final ten days of March turned notably wintry again, culminating in a snowstorm that reminded Chicagoans that accumulating snow is possible well into spring. The overall pattern favored northwest flow and repeated Canadian air masses, which kept the monthly average below normal.
A Chilly, Unsettled Opening
The first week of March 2018 set the tone with raw, damp conditions and a mix of rain and snow. Highs often struggled to reach 40°F, and overnight lows regularly dropped into the 20s. When precipitation arrived, it sometimes began as rain near the lakefront before changing to snow inland, creating slushy roads and reduced visibility during the morning and evening commutes.
Heating demand stayed high, and the cold was deep enough to keep snow cover around in outlying areas even when the city itself saw melting during the day. Chicago’s urban heat island offered some relief downtown, but the combination of gusty winds and low humidity made the air feel sharper than the thermometer suggested. For many residents, the first week felt like a continuation of winter rather than a new season.
The Mid-Month Tease and Return to Cold
Around the middle of March, Chicago briefly tasted spring. A few days brought highs in the lower 50s, enough to melt some of the remaining snow piles and draw people outside without heavy coats. But the warm-up was uneven, and lakeshore areas often stayed cooler as winds turned easterly over the still-chilly water of Lake Michigan.
That mild spell did not last. A series of cold fronts pushed temperatures back below normal, and by the third week of March, highs were again in the 30s and 40s with lows near or below freezing. The repeated swings made planning difficult, whether for outdoor events, construction work, or simply deciding what to wear. It also set the stage for the month’s most memorable snow event.
Snowfall and Storms That Defined March 2018 in Chicago
Snow was the headline feature of Chicago weather in March 2018, with the city and surrounding suburbs receiving well above the monthly average. O’Hare recorded close to 12 inches of snow for the month, roughly double the normal March snowfall of about 5.6 inches. Midway and other locations saw varying totals, but few areas escaped the repeated plowing and salting cycles.
The snow did not arrive in one single dumping. Instead, several smaller events and one major late-month storm combined to push totals upward. That pattern meant frequent slick commutes, airport delays, and school closings or delays, especially in the outer suburbs where roads stayed snow-covered longer. By the end of March, many residents were more focused on the next forecast than on the calendar’s promise of spring.
Early March Snow and Slick Commutes
One of the more notable early-month snow events occurred around March 5 and 6, when a storm system spread accumulating snow across northern Illinois. O’Hare picked up several inches, with some suburbs reporting similar or slightly higher amounts. The snow fell during a workweek, which amplified its impact on traffic and made for a slow, messy commute across the region.
Because temperatures were near or just below freezing, the snow was often wet and heavy, especially closer to the city. That type of snow is difficult to clear and can create treacherous conditions on ramps, bridges, and overpasses. Road crews were kept busy, and many drivers found themselves scraping windshields and navigating slushy side streets days after the main burst of snow had ended.
The Late-Month Winter Storm
The most significant snowstorm of March 2018 arrived on March 23 and 24, when a late-season winter storm dropped heavy snow across the Chicago area. O’Hare recorded 6.7 inches, which helped set a daily snowfall record for March 24 and made it one of the biggest snow events of the entire 2017–2018 season. The snow was wet and sticky in many places, clinging to trees and power lines while winds created drifting in open areas.
Travel became difficult across the metro, with airlines canceling hundreds of flights and drivers facing reduced visibility and snow-covered expressways. The storm also affected spring sports schedules, outdoor events, and landscaping plans, a reminder that late March in Chicago is still capable of delivering full winter conditions. After the storm moved east, cold air lingered, keeping snow on the ground and delaying any meaningful thaw.
For anyone comparing Chicago weather March 2018 with more recent springs, the month is a useful benchmark for just how long winter can hold on along Lake Michigan. If you are planning a trip, scheduling outdoor work, or simply curious about historical patterns, daily observations from O’Hare and Midway tell the story better than memory alone. Keep an eye on the forecast, but keep the boots and ice scraper handy a little longer—March in Chicago has a habit of reminding you who is in charge.