The remnants of Sunday's 1.8-inch snowfall, Nov. 27, 2023. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Chicago dodged the worst of the season’s first snowstorm on Sunday, but the 1.8 inches of accumulation measured at O’Hare International Airport still beat the averages.

According to the National Weather Service, Dec. 7 is the average date for the city to record its first 1-inch snowfall, based on the 30-year period of 1991 to 2020.

Parts of central and western Illinois got socked much harder by the storm system, which covered swatchs of the Plains and Midwest.

24-hour snowfall totals as of Sunday morning showing the first measurable snow for much of central IL.

Peoria's 4.1" was the 9th highest single-day November total on record, and the highest since 2015.#ilwxpic.twitter.com/BLYDnrFS8r

— Illinois State Climatologist (@ILClimatologist)November 27, 2023

The first winter storm track of the season was captured by VIIRS Day Night Band overnight as light from the full moon illuminated fresh snow from Kansas to Wisconsin. Classically cool satellite imagery.#KSwx#IAwx#ILwx#WIwxpic.twitter.com/bj92AuUQ9H

— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS)November 27, 2023

The holiday dusting was welcomed by some, but others weren’t ready for the wintry blast.

Chicago weather has begun!here comes the snow!!pic.twitter.com/vgmMnU6Qrs

— issa kosova (@IssaKosova)November 26, 2023

I’m not ready for this yet! Snow in Chicago outside our 18th floor windows [email protected]/Va6Uv0S6Vx

— Andy_Masur1 (@Andy_Masur1)November 26, 2023

The early snowfall isn’t necessarily a harbinger of things to come. In fact, theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center's outlook for winter 2023-24is leaning toward a much drier than average winter for parts of the Great Lakes, including Chicago.

Contact Patty Wetli:@pattywetli| (773) 509-5623 |[email protected]