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I actually do believe that New York gets a significant amount more snow than Chicago does, however, their temperatures are much more bearable during the winter by a significant amount. Chicago gets very, very cold in mid January, so much that it doesn't snow at all. But I like the cold, so I choose Chicago's winter over New York's. But New York's is warmer.
I also choose Chicago's summer over New York's. It's not as humid (though that's not saying much) and it's not as smelly and sticky.
I actually do believe that New York gets a significant amount more snow than Chicago does, however, their temperatures are much more bearable during the winter by a significant amount. Chicago gets very, very cold in mid January, so much that it doesn't snow at all. But I like the cold, so I choose Chicago's winter over New York's. But New York's is warmer.
I also choose Chicago's summer over New York's. It's not as humid (though that's not saying much) and it's not as smelly and sticky.
Lake Michigan is too cold to swim in most months and August and Sept are indeed the best months for it. But 80 degrees (and that must be REALLY close to shore) is still fairly cold as far as water is concerned. I used to swim in the lake a lot, when I was a kid I was the only one in my family that was brave enough to get into the 60/70 degree water! You don't see a lot of blue lips here in Texas....haha. Those were the days...
From what I understand, NyC has an overall milder climate.
Chicago winters are brutal. Wind, slush, ice, blizzards, metling, only to have it happen all over again. At least in places like MN the snow sticks around and its not as damp.
But, Chicagoans have bragging rights, and that is always cool....toughens the soul.
Summer in the city is often hot and muggy too. I much preferred summer in the suburbs of Chicago, not the urban areas...yuck. Unless you are real close to the lake, it can be miserable. I imagine NYC might be similiar. but I don't know.
Thanks for the info but as a person who spent considerable amount of time in Chicago I can tell you that it is not that much low temperatures but the freezing wind that makes Chicago unbearable in the Winter.
definitely, especially if you are downtown or by the lake between the buildings, 40mph+ is not uncommon. Wacker drive east of sears tower and crossing over the river on the east side (as many do for union station/ogilsvy) is a virtual wind tunnel. Look around in the trash cans and you will see broken umbrellas everywhere, if anybody dare bother on a good windy day.
That being said yes Chicagos winter are colder, and for longer (at least it seems to take longer to "break" into spring), ny summer is hotter, and for longer. I've been in both, and all seasons.
nyc is more or less a warmer climate all the time by a few degrees, not including a snap cold spell or heat wave, but still gets chicago weather patterns a few days later.
Nope! There are several stories of the origin, but generally it is attributed to the ability of Chicago Politicians to pull off a filibuster. In all actuality the average wind speed in Chicago is really no greater than other cities, and less than some (Like Boston and NYC at JFK or La Guardia). http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/...d/avgwind.html
Last edited by Bydand; 08-15-2009 at 09:34 PM..
Reason: add link to wind speed chart
But 80 degrees (and that must be REALLY close to shore) is still fairly cold as far as water is concerned. I used to swim in the lake a lot, when I was a kid I was the only one in my family that was brave enough to get into the 60/70 degree water!
80 degree water is considered cold? Man, outside of trips to the tropics I've been swimming in water way colder than 80 degrees for my entire life...I've swam comfortably in 70 degree rivers and lakes out west. And the few times I've been to Lake Michigan in the summer, the water and weather was perfect for swimming.
80 is very warm for lake michigan, but still on the cold/cool side for swimmers. there are some beaches that are more protected from the open currents that heat up better in chicago. Generally, it is pretty fricken cold outside of august and september.
personally I like it better than texas gulf beaches. But I definitley would never call lake michigan warm!
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