The Chicago Blizzard of 2011 was a major winter storm that impacted
the Great Plains, Midwest, primarily Chicago, and the NE between
January 31 – February 2, 2011. Over 20 inches of snow fell in Chicago, making it the 3rd largest blizzard ever on record behind the Blizzard of 1967 and the Blizzard of 1999. Chicago
Public Schools were closed for the first time since the Blizzard of 1999 for two days in a row. Most schools in the area were off February 2 and February 3, and some schools are also closed February 4. During the brunt of the storm, motorists on Chicago's famous Lake Shore Drive became trapped and had to abandon their cars and walk to downtown in blizzard conditions. By
February 2nd, almost all roads in Chicagoland were impassable, and Lake County, the county north of Chicago, issued a civil emergency message which stated driving was illegal until 5 PM February 2. Most people were snowed in until midday February 3, however. O'Hare cancelled all flight on February 1 and February 2. In Peoria, IL, winds were so strong that they knocked over a snow plow. The effects of the storm were far-reaching, as many four-lane roads were only down to two lanes for an undefined period after the storm.
