<p>Yes, Chicago does get bone chillingly cold at times, but some perspective. First, since Chicago is on the western side of Lake Michigan, the city gets zero "lake effect" snow. Chicago gets a lot more sun in the winter than cities that do get lake effect snow and clouds such as Buffalo, Cleveland, Rochester, northeastern Indiana, and continually grey in the winter Pittsburgh. Lake effect snow is due to cold northern winds picking up moisture from the relatively warm Great Lakes and then dumping that moisture as snow on the lucky cities and towns on the south and east sides of those lakes. </p>
<p>Second, since public transportation is so good in Chicago, you can do fine without a car as an undergraduate and still get to where you need or want to go, even in the depths of winter. </p>
<p>Third, though the wind can get fierce off Lake Michigan, the term "Windy City" did not have anything to do with Chicago's weather. It originated from a New York newspaper in the early 1890's that said there were some "windbags" in Chicago who were always upping their bid for the 1892 world's fair in competition with New York.</p>
<p>While it is true the name windy city came from the 1892 Columbia Exposition (of which I have a souvenir program book), I would hazard a guess that what has maintained its usage is the fact that the wind can be impressive. When I worked at Northwestern Univ. Medical Center, the city would put ropes up along some of the streets so people could keep on their feet. An aside: Those near the lake are a bit warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than those who live a little further west.</p>
<p>what's that wax stuff called? I WANT SOME NOW lol</p>
<p>ahh claremont and pomona.. only a half hour drive from my house. Looking out my window right now it's bright- and I mean BRIGHT. the sun's up, and it's 74 degrees outside. no snow anywhere around and a few clouds..</p>
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I grew up in Southern California, went to college in Wisconsin and still live in the midwest (MI). You can adapt. If you take a look, you'll notice that a huge number of people live in Chicago.
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<p>But then part of the reasons we have so many people in Cal was the warm weather. We got lots of people from the midwest and the east and they'd all tell you they don't miss the cold. My Chicago friends asked me to visit them for this X'mas and I said, "No way! Wait until next spring/summer.".</p>
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Second, since public transportation is so good in Chicago, you can do fine without a car as an undergraduate and still get to where you need or want to go, even in the depths of winter.
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<p>The problem is most of the train station platforms are outdoor, so it can be pretty bad while waiting.</p>
<p>I recommend that during winter you wear a coat, a hat, and mittens or gloves. You can also wear a scarf. Have some boots with thinsulate lining. You'll survive, as millioins have before you.</p>
<p>ive heard the heating system within the school is skewed so its really hot during the winter inside the building and nice and chilly during the summer. So you wont be learning in an icebox... which is what is was totally scared about... how can you concentrate when youre freezing? Impossible.</p>