Chicago has just come out of our fourth-longest stretch with at least 10 inches of snow cover

We weren’t hit with a giant blizzard, but the snow felt relentless from late January on, as Chicago saw one of its longest-ever stretches of days with 10 inches or more of snow on the ground. This was how Pilsen looked at the start of it, on Jan. 31, after an overnight snowfall. | Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times file

For Chicagoans whose arms and backs still haven’t recovered from week after week of shoveling snow that seemed never to stop, this won’t ease your aches any, but at least it might confirm what you imagined.

We really have had a ridiculous amount of snow on the ground for a ridiculous length of time: 25 days, from Jan. 31 through Feb. 24, with a snow cover of 10 inches or more recorded at O’Hare Airport, where Chicago’s official weather statistics are kept by the National Weather Service.

That’s our fourth-longest stretch ever buried beneath so much snow.

Here’s how that compares to the other snowiest stretches.

Consecutive days with 10+ inches of snow on the ground

Chicago has just come out of one its longest stretches ever of having a deep snow cover.

This chart is best viewed vertically if you're looking on a mobile device.

Graphic by Jesse Howe and Caroline Hurley | Sun-Times

Source: National Weather Service

Snow depth in Chicago during major winter storms

Graphic by Jesse Howe and Caroline Hurley | Sun-Times

Source: National Weather Service