First Visit to Chicago: Guide to Pack for the Climate

Preparing for your fist visit to Chicago or the Windy City? Climate needs to be considered when you pack for your Windy City visit. Packing for a visit to Chicago can be tricky as the Windy City's weather can change faster than a Broadway actor. Be conscious of the seasons when you pack and plan your visit to Chicago as they are as unique as the Windy City's personality.

Spring

To visit Chicago in the spring requires packing of winter gear. Early spring climate is certainly cold with average minimum temps of 28.5⁰F in March and 38.6⁰F in April. A Windy city visitor needs to be aware of wind chills as strong winds will make it feel colder than the temperature indicates. So certainly pack a coat. Shoes suitable for snow should also be packed with March averaging 6.6" of snow and 1.6" in April. May brings a warmer climate for visits to Chicago with a comfortable average high of 70.⁰F and low of 48.⁰F. Be prepared for a climate that is conducive to severe storms by packing a NOAA weather radio.

Summer

The summer climate is can be good for a visit to Chicago. Average highs range from 79⁰F to 84⁰F for Windy City summer visits. Bring the sunscreen for outdoor activities including the must visit to the Dunes of Lake Michigan. Summertime Chicago climate brings high humidity. Heat waves can raise temps to above 90⁰F. Factoring in the humidity will bring heat indexes to dangerous levels. These extreme heat waves are rare for the Chicago climate though it is best to be prepared by packing water bottles and ice. Pack an umbrella as the summer months are the wettest for a visit to Chicago.+

Fall

Fall temps range from average highs of 75⁰F in September to highs of 48⁰F in November. September and October are very nice for Windy city visits. Average lows do get down to 54⁰F in September 42⁰F in October, and 31.6⁰F in November. Rainfall totals drop in these months and Chicago has its' highest percentage of clear days, so bring the sunglasses and enjoy your fall visit to Chicago. Early fall is the best climate for Chicago visits.

Winter

Winters are cold, windy and full of snow. December highs average 34⁰F, January 29 ⁰F and February 33⁰F. Lows average a frigid 12⁰F in January. Couple this with the abnormally high winds and the Windy City can turn into one big ice pop. A visit to Chicago in winter also means snow with averages between 8 and 10 inches per month. Early winter is prime time for Lake effect Snow. This can bring huge totals to localized areas even when there are no big storm systems moving through. Bring every kind of winter gear you have on a visit to Chicago in the winter. You may even need to break out that dreaded ski mask.

A visit to Chicago can be an excellent experience if the climate is considered before packing for your visit.

Chicago is not called the Windy City for nothing. Always bring some type of wind breaker no. Be alert, the weather can change quickly and keep an eye on the sky to make the most of your visit to Chicago.