How bad is the snow? (Chicago, Vermont: 2013, live, airport)

[lucylinus]

I’ve lived in Vermont, Colorado & Massachusetts so no stranger to winter weather.

Are Chicago winters significantly worse?

Does public transportation still run during big snowfalls?

How often does the airport shut down?

Thanks!

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by lucylinus

I’ve lived in Vermont, Colorado & Massachusetts so no stranger to winter weather.

Are Chicago winters significantly worse?

Does public transportation still run during big snowfalls?

How often does the airport shut down?

Thanks!

Chicago winters are colder than Colorado's and probably colder than most of Massachusetts'. I am not certain about Vermont, but you can look that up on Wikipedia or City-Data.

Public transit still runs during all but the worst cold snaps. After a heavy snow, public transit experiences delays. O'Hare is well-equipped for winter weather and is almost never completely shut down.

[flamadiddle]

As noted, colder here. Snow is really unpredictable. We've had very little snow the last few years. It can vary between 10 and 90 inches per year. The city keeps moving unless it gets really bad.

https://www.weather.gov/lot/Chicago_seasonal_snow

[personone]

If you have lived in New England, the winter weather won't be as much of a shock. I'm guessing it's probably a little colder here because of the wind-chill/lake effect.

As far as snow, it is variable, but my observation is that we rarely get the big nor'easter snow dumpings that the northeast gets. There are a few exceptions over the years, but it is more of a light/moderate steady now throughout winter (which make the totals seem high). However, besides the few exceptions (notably 2013-14), it's rare to get a huge 1-3 day snow storm that cripples everything like you can get in the northeast with the nor'easters. The cold weather is a bigger deal than the snow IMO (although you get used to the cold weather pretty quickly).

[Gemini1963]

Originally Posted by lucylinus

I’ve lived in Vermont, Colorado & Massachusetts so no stranger to winter weather.

Are Chicago winters significantly worse?

Does public transportation still run during big snowfalls?

How often does the airport shut down?

Thanks!

I grew up in Chicago and live there now, and have lived for about 6.5 years in Vermont. I do not think Chicago winters are worse than Vermont's. Vermont's is certainly longer.

[CCrest182]

Originally Posted by lucylinus

I’ve lived in Vermont, Colorado & Massachusetts so no stranger to winter weather.

Are Chicago winters significantly worse?

Does public transportation still run during big snowfalls?

How often does the airport shut down?

Thanks!

Speaking to Colorado and Massachusetts, winters are worse in Chicago, but not "significantly" worse. In fact, I'd say it's marginally worse.

Chicago winters are just worse than Boston, but not by a significant margin. It definitely is windier and gets colder, but I believe it snows more in Boston, on average.

Airports do have many cancellations (naturally) with big blizzards and unsafe conditions.

[Hiruko]

If you are worried about winter weather, skip Chicago. If dealing with winter is questionable for you, really, just spare yourself.

[Sunbiz1]

I'd move back to Vermont instead.
But if you must, snow totals here are less than Vermont; with both Chicago and Vermont averaging fairly similar on winter temps.
It's the heat, humidity, and rain here you might not care for.

[Robert9]

Winters here sadly are very mild. Summers are hell though!