Please help - I'm a Florida transplant in Boulder and I'm going to Chicago for the first time. I HATE to be cold and am wondering if I should take a heavy warm coat or a lighter, easy to carry coat. The weather will be in the 50's, but that kind of weather would be warm in Boulder, yet pretty cold if in Miami.

As a Chicago transplant from Nashville, TN I will tell you 50 in Chicago is COLD. That may be an above average temp but it is already FREEZING here. You have to remember the wind chill factor. They don't call this the windy city for nothing. 50 degrees usually feels about 40 with normal winds for this time of the year. People are already waering their HEAVY winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves here. teh closer tpo downtown and the lake you are the more you will feel the chill of the wind. Plus, you will probably do a LOT of walking here. Chicago is not a driving city that is for sure. Going to and from work everyday, I walk 2 miles so plan to be outside more and dress accordingly.

I too live in Chicago and have to _d_i_s_a_g_r_e_e_ with xxxx. You are are right that it is "supposed" to hit 70 degrees today, but I doubt it will and besides that as Beth said with the wind it never feels what the temp is, always about 10 degrees, at least, cooler than what the temp says. If it is "supposed" to 70 today it will only be for about a hour or two and it will feel more like 60. I wore a long sleeve shirt pants, with tights underneath, a trench coat with the warm liner zipped in and gloves today, I was still cold at 7:30 am walking to the el! I have no idea when ejb will be here as she didn't say, probably not today though, she just said it was supposed to be in the 50s. If that is the case, she can expect it too feel _m_u_c_h_ cooler than that. No it is not "freezing" today but its certainly cool and not warm and this _u_n_u_s_u_a_l_ for this time of year anyway.

Thanks Beth and Ang. My trip will be much better because you dared to help me out despite the danger of being bitten by people like xxx (if xxx and a few others could only get their self-esteem together we would'nt have to be subjected to random sharks on this site.)

Well, this just shows that everyone's thermostat is different. I'll chime in with what I've warn the last two days, which is tights, skirt, and a short-sleeved shirt with blazer, and I've been perfectly comfortable walking during the day. In the dark, I would add a light jacket. I DID get caught in the rain yesterday, which was nasty but I wasn't cold. Yes, though, if the wind picks up 50 will feel VERY raw and cold, and if you HATE to be cold it is better to be safe than sorry.

It's all relative. 50 degrees in October in Chicago is chilly - not cold - chilly. 50 degrees in February in Chicago is a heat wave. If you're from a warm climate, this temperature will probably feel colder to you than it does to natives. Dress in layers; at this time of year it warms up in early afternoon, if it is sunny. Bring your lighter coat & sweaters. And Beth, Chicago got the nickname of "The Windy City" because of our politicians - not the weather.

You learn something new every day! I had heard about the "wind" politicians of old Chicago but I thought that was a joke and that we were named the "Windy City" for our weather, that is news to me. Anyway let me clarify that is NOT FREEZING today but we are are having unseasonable weather today. Last week is another matte though, it was bitterly cold and people were bundled up when thay had to be outdoors for long periods. Just goes to show you how unpredictable the weather is here. Check the weather closely just prior to your visit ejb.

EJB, the best coat in Chicago in October is a raincoat with a zip-out lining. As you can see from the other posts, weather is very unpredictable and changes rapidly. Another thing I would recommend is a pair of gloves and a dressy, lightweight wool scarf. You may not need them, but, if the weather turns, you'll be happy to have them, especially in the evening.

Beth, check out this website for the origin of the nickname "Windy City"

http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/chinicknames.html

This thread has given me a chuckle. I, too, live in the Upper Midwest. If last week was FREEZING, how do you decribe January & February?? P.S. This is just for grins, not to antagonize.

ejb, I agree with the other posters that you really have to be prepared for anything here. Like Beth said it was very cold last week (but that was colder than normal). Today is warmer than normal. A couple of years ago I was walking around Michigan Avenue the day after Thanksgiving with a short sleeve shirt because it was 70 degrees. Again, you didn't say when you would be here. If it is only going to be a high of 50 during the day it could be 30 at night. Plus, sometimes the weather changes quickly so make sure you check out the weather right before you leave. It might be too early yet unless you are coming tomorrow.

I moved from Atlanta area to Milwaukee WI, talk about a difference. I too clssify anything below 45 freezing. LOL In January and February it is so brutal I don't go outside period. I get in my car in my garage go to work, park in my heated parking garage and just don't get out. I hate the cold here. After 3 winters I have yet to get used to it and I guees thats why I dislike Wisconsin so much! LOL as well. I'll stay here for maybe another year and can't wait to get away from these hard winters. The summer is nice though on the lakefront problem is it only lasts about 2 months!

Thanks all - dressing in layers is what we do in Boulder, so I have the wardrobe for Chicago! I will be arriving Thursday the 1st and am going by internet weather forecasts.

Agree Chicago weather is always changing. We have already had 20 degree weather this year at night but today was only slightly chilly, you never know. It can even be 30 degrees in the morning on your way somewhere and 65 when you leave that same afternoon!

You should be safe with layers. It isn't going to be as warm as today but still in the low 60s during the day which isn't too bad. However, it is going to rain tomorrow.

If you are right on the lakefront and very sensitive to cold, you will definitely feel the HAWK. It was 60 to 65 degrees and very windy today and I worked outside gardening for hours without any jacket. I am acclimated to Chicago. But it is a big place, and much milder away from the lakefront areas. Regardless of the layers, I have a feeling that if you are from Florida, you will probaby want your warm coat. My relatives from Arizona sit in my yard with their jackets on when it is 75 or 80 degrees out. Regardless of your Boulder experiences you will probaby feel cooler at 50 degrees than I ever would. I have a strong feeling that Beth is a transplant too.

I can't believe people are describing ANY days we've had so far as freezing or bitterly cold. It's just starting to get colder now. This was the mildest and longest fall I can remember.

EJB - did you visit yet? Please tell us how it went if you did.

ejb and chicagoen: I just got back from 5 days in Chicago and it was glorious. Sunny and mild most of the time. Only had to wear my gloves on early morning walks. Went to the Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute (couldn't get tickets to the VanGogh exhibit, but I could have spent another day at the regular exhibits), Broadcasting Musuem-very interesting and nostalgic, my kids did a radio play by play to a baseball game-they loved it and we have a great keepsake tape of it, Spertus Musuem (Judaic)-disappointingly small, Thanksgiving Parade, Ed Debevics (where the wait staff isn't as insulting as they used to be, but fun anyway and 1984 prices in effect on Tuesdays) Mike Ditka's for Thanksgiving Dinner-delicious, Cheescake Factory for a fun and delicious dinner and some shopping along the way! Stayed at State Street Embassy Suites which was nice, but understaffed and somewhat disorganized. Location was terrific and got a great rate thru quikbook, who also lowered the rate when I called because the rate had gone down when I checked before we left. All in all, a really fun trip.

Chicagoan,
You have to realize that Beth responds to every thread about Chicago and always complains about how cold it is-never do the facts get in her way. She draws lots of criticism on this board from people who don't like her.