January 02, 1999 - New Year's Blizzard - Chicago and Milwaukee

The 1999 New Year's Blizzard devastated much of the upper Midwest, including Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Snow totals exceeded over 20 across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Chicago, Illinois - Blizzard Conditions

I documented the January New Year's Blizzard aftermath a day after it occurred across central and northern Illinois; an area that was hit very hard. Chicago, Illinois received over 20 inches of snow which was a record for a 24 hour period. Milwaukee, Wisconsin had received near 15 inches and experienced whiteout conditions that caused many accidents on the I-94 freeway system.

We traveled north through Illinois on I-39/51 toward Wisconsin and experienced an incredible ground blizzard. Visibility was practically zero at times. This led to numerous accidents with cars becoming stuck or abandoned in ditches across the interstate. These photos were taken along I-39/51 through central and northern Illinois.

January 2, 1999 Winter Storm Resources:

• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Newspaper Storm Write-Up


• National Weather Service, Milwaukee/Sullivan, Wisconsin Blizzard Summary