Illinois ยท season guide
Sledding season in Rockford
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Rockford Gtr Rockford Airport weather station, about 5 miles from the middle of our Rockford hill list show November as the first month that averages an inch of snow or more (2.3 inches). The normals are monthly averages, so they can't give a first-snow date. Some years come early, some late.
January is the snowiest month on average, at 10.9 inches.
Across a normal year the station records about 37.1 inches of snow. That puts Rockford at 63 of 98 metros on this site, ranked from snowiest down.
About 55 days a year have an inch or more of snow on the ground.
For comparison, Madison, the nearest metro on our list, averages 51.8 inches, more than here.
1 of the 6 hills we list here come from a city, county or park district page; sources call Anna Page Park gentle.
Month by month
| Month | Average snowfall | Days with 1 inch or more of new snow | Days with 1 inch or more on the ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 0.2 inches | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| November | 2.3 inches | 0.5 | 1.6 |
| December | 9.4 inches | 2.6 | 13.2 |
| January | 10.9 inches | 3.6 | 20.0 |
| February | 8.5 inches | 2.8 | 14.4 |
| March | 4.9 inches | 1.3 | 5.3 |
| April | 0.9 inches | 0.3 | 0.4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, station USW00094822. "Not stated by source" means NOAA publishes no value for that station.
Lit hills
None of the sources we used for Rockford mention lights on a sledding hill. Plan on daylight, and see our national lit hills list if you're travelling.
Local rules
- Rockford Park District says sledding is not allowed at Aldeen Park or Sand Park. Source
Hours and status lines
Where a source gives hours or a phone line for hill status, here it is. Call before a long drive.
Short answers
When does it usually start snowing in Rockford?
In NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Rockford Gtr Rockford Airport station, November is the first month averaging an inch of snow or more. The normals are monthly averages, not a date.
How much snow does Rockford get in a year?
About 37.1 inches a year at the Rockford Gtr Rockford Airport station, per NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals.
Are there lit sledding hills in Rockford?
None of the sources we used mention lights. Plan on daylight.
Updated