In The Chi-Loop: The Blizzard of 2011

I survived my first blizzard! The Blizzard of 2011, or Chiberia, Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon, or my favorite, Snowprah, will forever be a memorable one! Now that the blizzard has come and gone, it is said to be the third heaviest snowfall in Chicago's history. Two days of snow, wind, thunder, and lightning gave us almost two feet of snow, white-out conditions, a closed airport, gusts of 70 miles per hour, Lake Shore Drive shut down, and even destruction to Wrigley Field. Pierre and I braved it out at one point and went outside to experience the blizzard firsthand. Yes, we made snow angels in the middle of a blizzard.

The storm conveniently started around 3 PM Tuesday on my walk home. The snow started to fall and accumulate on the ground, and the wind started to pick up, making it hard to even walk. The streets were packed with people at bus stops that got out of work early and were trying to get home safely and quickly, myself included.

Looking east on Illinois.

Everyone making their way to the bus stops.

The visibility getting worse and worse.

The water on the Chicago River picking up.

I was almost home when I had to start walking towards Lake Michigan and going against the wind. People were holding on to anything stable next to them! I took a break from fighting it, but check out this guy that didn't give up.

Once Pierre came home from work, we suited up with layers upon layers and set our sights to go to Lakeshore East Park. The walk over there was pretty brutal as the wind gusts were 30 to 40 miles per hour at that point, but we finally made it and had some fun in the snow as we made snow angels for the first time!

On the way to the park.

Pierre in the snow.

Here comes the wind!

The VERY deep snow.

My first snow angel!

I was very excited to be in the middle of a blizzard.

The stairs to the Pedway.

We saw this on a TV screen on our way back... Insane!

The storm got worse as the night went on, and the winds picked up to 70 miles per hour. The storm progressed into thundersnow and the sky lit up with lightning and thunder roared through downtown. Check out the video of the sights and sounds, including the apartment creaking because of the building swaying due to the high winds.

It's now Wednesday morning, and a snow day for the both of us. After a band of lake effect snow brought down two inches of snow per hour, I took the opportunity of my day off to battle the snow on the ground and take some photos of Chicago post-blizzard.

Icicles on Hyatt's walkway.

The bridge to Michigan Avenue.

Shoveling at Tribune.

Not all the crosswalks were cleared out, so crossing the street was a feat.

Looking down Mag Mile.

It was eerily quiet.

I saw this guy and his hat made my day.

Looking down Illinois again. Such a change from the day before!

Pioneer Court near Tribune.

Taking advantage of all the snow!

It's that guy again!

With perfect timing, I walked by Jim Cantore and his crew from The Weather Channel and got the chance to chat with them for a bit. I've been watching Cantore's Tweets and videos through the hours of the blizzard, so it was pretty awesome to meet them all!