Is it that cold?

<p>i agree that winter can bring a greater range of temps, but when weather systems move creating the extreme heat in the midwest, that same system will eventually hit the east coast. The extreme heat from the north Dakota down to nyc are almost always at the exact same time, with the relative temps being 2 degrees warmer in the midwest, relative which inlcudes temp and humidity.</p>

<p>How far from Chicago is the school you want to attend? Places right near the lake tend to be warmer in the winter than more middle towns (like where I live), but reversely get colder near the lake during more mild months. </p>

<p>Yes, it's going to be COLD. But not unbearably cold. This is just me, but the weather seems to be getting warmer in recent winters. Atleast, we don't get alot of snow, even with Lake Michigan. Just have a good scarf and coat and you'll be fine.</p>

<p>your own the wrong side of the lake. He said a little outside, only school i can think of is northwestern, but who knows</p>

<p>I live in Scottsdale, Arizona where its 85 degrees on Thanksgiving. :) I've been to Chicago numerous times before, most recently in October. It's definitely windy there, but it's not crazy cold, as long as you're dressed appropriately. For me personally, I minded the constant clouds more than the cold. It really dampened my mood/energy...</p>

<p>Really how bad can it be. I have lived in southern cali my entire life, have been in 0 degree weather before with no problem. A jacket, gloves, ear muffs and some nice socks/shoes is all that is needed. I can be in 20 degree weather with just a sweatshirt/sweatpants and gloves, and around freezing in a shirt and pants for a few hours and be fine. This comes from a warm weather person, chicago should be perfectly fine. Anything below 20 is when it really gets colds, everything else is fine, especially since almost everywhere in the entire country gets near 32 sometime during winter</p>

<p>I spent 5 years in Chicago. My problem was not with the cold, but with the LENGTH of the cold season. Plus, it seemed gray so much of the time. It made me crazy. I thought I was in heaven when I moved to Dallas. It took me 3 years to thaw out. After 20 years it suddenly felt too hot. Summer was too long! There are very few ideal climates- San Diego being one! You can stand anything, really.</p>

<p>Dallas = piece of poo. I lived there for 3 months and could not stand it. Or maybe it was the fact i was in plano. At least it snowed.</p>

<p>"The school is actually 30-something-or-so miles west of Chicago itself, if that really makes a difference with the wind."</p>

<p>yes, it does.</p>

<p>i've lived here a long time, and i don't know if i have ever seen a day where it went into negative temperatures</p>

<p>i've seen the windchill get to negative degrees, but i live right on the lake. if you are west of the city it won't be that bad</p>

<p>since you got me interested, i just looked it up online, the lowest recorded temperature ever for chicago was -27 in 1985</p>

<p>I lived in Chicago in 1985. The night the record was set there was a stiff wind. The wind chill must have been something like -80. I almost died that night, literally. My car got stuck on ice a 100 yards from my house and I did not have any heavy clothing.</p>

<p>Extreme cold is rare even in Chicago. Winter high temps in the 20's are more typical. Snow is usually not too bad, but the winter is endless and gray. After my first full year in Chicago, I could not remember a nice weekend. The second year I kept track. I defined nice as temperatures at least hitting 60 and no rain either Saturday or Sundary during daylight hours. There second year in Chicago there were no "nice" weekends. As I remember there were two during the third year. Not a very nice climate.</p>

<p>dude, also, that thing about chicago having a more harsh climate than detroit... the few times i've been to detroit it's been inhumanly cold, much worse than chicago i felt like</p>

<p>EDIT: and also, directed towards the above post, i think chicago summers have some of the best weather and are the most fun of any place i can imagine</p>

<p>gee edad, the whole no-good-weekends thing really doesn't boost my confidence..:) Thanks for all the advice though. The school is Wheaton, btw. I'm basically worried I'll get up there and be miserable if it's really that cloudy and dour outside all the time. I've talked to two Mississippians who went to Wheaton/lived in Chicago. They both said it's really easy to get depressed with the downcast weather, but that the cold was something they adjusted to. Thing is, I saved over the summer and ended up visiting in September, when it was still fine weather. I don't think I can afford to go again just to check out the weather. The school is my top choice, but my second choice is in North Carolina..yeah..:)</p>

<p>I kind of thought you were talking about Wheaton. One thing you might look into is getting a sun lamp, in case you suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).</p>

<p>You asked about outdoor activities-- yes people definitely continue outdoor activities in winter. Snow can be a lot of fun. And people serious, or even not so serious, about running continue to do it.</p>

<p>It has been a long time since I've lived in Midwest, but I think people are misleading you about grey days. The Midwest is not nearly as grey as the Northwest. In the Midwest grey usually means a relatively warm day-- clouds are like a blanket. And grey doesn't look so grey if the ground is covered in white (but when the snow melts, yuk).</p>

<p>I think temps in the 20's is ideal winter weather-- comfortable in a jacket and gloves and the snow stays snow.</p>

<p>The advice to visit in winter is probably good, but the visit could mislead you. It might be unusually warm or cold. And a short visit doesn't really tell you how well you'll aclimate. Typical days in the 20's are easy to deal with. Expect a week and scattered days around 10 degrees. On those days you might want to wear a scarf along with the hat you forget half the time. Usually you can also expect a week below zero. </p>

<p>Besides a visit, you can check a weather web site for both current and historical data. You can probably find a site that reports actual historical data, not just averages. Also check web cams at the school or in the area. That might give you an idea of the greyness factor, and possibly of how many people are out and about.</p>

<p>One poster talked about being stuck in extreme temperatures without warm gear. There's a lesson in that.</p>

<p>I'm a Chicago native.</p>

<p>Winters get very cold. It's often below 0 with windchill. However - it's not as bad as one would think. You get used to it quickly.</p>

<p>Falls and Springs have very vibrant changes, along with moderate weather. Those are, in my opinion, the best seasons weather-wise.</p>

<p>Summers aren't extraordinarily hot, but they are very humid. </p>

<p>It's a great city, but the weather isn't for everyone.</p>

<p>And as for the windy city thing - yes, the term was originated with Chicago politics. </p>

<p>BUT: it's also very windy, weather-wise (especially by the lake). There's also a good deal of rain and thunderstorms.</p>