How to Prepare for Chicago Winters or "The Hawk"

Those of us in Chicago know what "the hawk" is. I don't know if other cities have it, or something like it, and if they do I don't know what they call it... but it's when cold fierce winds come through our city and leave people shuddering, cold, and some bitter about why they live in such a cold city. It is joked that we have two seasons here - summer and winter - everything else is just transition. When winter comes, it COMES. Some winters we get temperatures below zero... for the high temperature of that day. Then we've had some 60+ degree days in December and it has felt downright balmy, like we're in Florida or something. People will be outside wearing shorts, and then I have to look at them and think to myself, "You know you're in Chicago right? It can (and probably will) drop 30 degrees by nightfall."

So how do you prepare for "the hawk"? If you've never experienced winter in Chicago, let me give you some pointers...

1. You need a good winter coat - preferably something thick and that will keep you warm. Winter in Chicago is not the time to cute. You can be cute in the summer. You need to be warm, almost to where you sweat under your coat.

2. You need winter accessories - for guys, if you're bald-headed, you MUST get a skull cap. It can come from the dollar store, but it must cover your whole head and ears if possible. If you don't like those kinds of hats, then you definitely need earmuffs and a hat that will at least cover your head. For everyone else, get a good pair of gloves (preferably two, one for the house and one set you leave in your car or office), a good pair of long johns... that's right, I said long johns... it's thermal underwear if you've never heard of the terminology. They basically cover everything from the waist to the ankles.

3. You'll need teas and coffees and hot cocoa. Hot beverages will fair you well in Chicago during the winter months. Most people steer away from iced beverages as they need something that will help them stay warm. You can get either of these from your local grocer or specialty store. My favorites are Tazo teas, Starbucks coffees, and Nestle hot cocoa.

4. Be sure to have the following for your car: antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, ice scraper, snow remover, towels, rock salt, small snow shovel, flashlight (with fresh batteries), and snacks. I would have included water but it'd probably freeze up in the cold weather. Our average high is the freezing point during most of the winter so water doesn't do you much good here. In case you're wondering what the towels are for, they're for helping you get through the snow if your car gets stuck in a snow patch or ice patch. You place the towel under your tire to get traction under your car and help you move.

5. Comfortable but effective boots for walking. Snow does come to Chicago at some point. You just hope it's not a foot at a time. One or two inches you can handle with regular shoes... it's when it gets above four or five inches at a time, then you must wear boots.

If you feel "the hawk" trying to take you out, find warm shelter. The winds here do get quite fierce sometimes. If you're brave enough to face the winter elements, the rest of the city is great. We have had mild winters here before, but as Chicagoans, we're prepared for anything... externally anyway. I've lived here my entire life, and some winter days still catch me totally off guard.