For the first time in 146 years, the National Weather Service documented no snow on the ground in Chicago in January and February — a record that put a spring in the step of some but weighed down others worried about climate change. Because the snow measurement is taken at 6 a.m. at O'Hare International Airport, small amounts of snow that may have fallen later in the day and melted were not recorded, said Amy Seeley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. (INTERACTIVE: When Spring's Last Snow Typically Falls ) 
 
 Never before in records dating to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 has an official Chicago reporting station failed to measure at least one January or February day with at least an inch of snow cover in the same winter. "It's pretty impressive for any place in the northern part of the state to go both January and February with no snow on the ground," he said. Then lake-effect snow developed thanks to northeast winds across Lake Michigan after Stella moved east, causing major travel problems throughout the metro area into much of March 14, 2017. This March snow event is on par with the heaviest of the season in Chicago, which was 7.8 inches Dec. 10-11.
– The arrival of March brings a weird milestone to Chicago this year: The city recorded no snow on the ground in January and February for the first time in at least 146 years, reports the Weather Channel. In fact, the last snowfall of more than an inch occurred on Dec. 17, days ahead of the official start of winter, which means the city has been virtually snow-free all season. The Chicago Tribune notes that flurries were seen on a few days, but not enough to register when the official morning tally was taken at O'Hare International Airport. It's possible the streak goes back longer, but the 146-year mark reflects the start of National Weather Service data. Forecasts called for possible snow this week. Winter wraps up on March 20.