Real 4-seasons weather in Chicago? (2014, vs., moving to)

[VitoM2000]

Are the 4 seasons as bold and beautiful as in the Northeast? I grew up in the DC area and loved the weather--the fall foliage, the snowy winters, etc. In San Antonio, however, not so much haha. Planning on moving to Chicago as I want to stay in the central time zone, but want the 4 seasons again.

[personone]

Yes, Chicago has all of the traditional 4 seasons. Obviously the winters are colder and longer than what you experience in DC. Although Chicago is probably not terribly different than the Northeast (Boston especially) when it comes to the 4 seasons. Further South in DC/Baltimore you all will have a milder winter and hotter summer than Chicago and the Northeast.

But Chicago has a traditional Fall with all of the leaves and Fall colors; a long and cold winter; a traditional spring with the traditional spring colors (although spring can still be really chilly); and a nice summer that is much less humid than DC.

So overall, Chicago has all of the traditional 4 seasons. I am originally from the MD/DC area and it's not too different here, other than the cooler winters.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by personone

Yes, Chicago has all of the traditional 4 seasons. Obviously the winters are colder and longer than what you experience in DC. Although Chicago is probably not terribly different than the Northeast (Boston especially) when it comes to the 4 seasons. Further South in DC/Baltimore you all will have a milder winter and hotter summer than Chicago and the Northeast.

But Chicago has a traditional Fall with all of the leaves and Fall colors; a long and cold winter; a traditional spring with the traditional spring colors (although spring can still be really chilly); and a nice summer that is much less humid than DC.

So overall, Chicago has all of the traditional 4 seasons. I am originally from the MD/DC area and it's not too different here, other than the cooler winters.

A. Boston receives a lot more snow, and not as cold due to moderating influences of the Atlantic.
B. We sort of get Spring, as lake breeze season can extend winter well into April.

[VitoM2000]

Originally Posted by personone

Yes, Chicago has all of the traditional 4 seasons. Obviously the winters are colder and longer than what you experience in DC. Although Chicago is probably not terribly different than the Northeast (Boston especially) when it comes to the 4 seasons. Further South in DC/Baltimore you all will have a milder winter and hotter summer than Chicago and the Northeast.

But Chicago has a traditional Fall with all of the leaves and Fall colors; a long and cold winter; a traditional spring with the traditional spring colors (although spring can still be really chilly); and a nice summer that is much less humid than DC.

So overall, Chicago has all of the traditional 4 seasons. I am originally from the MD/DC area and it's not too different here, other than the cooler winters.

Great analysis, thank you. So would you say that then the springs, summers, and falls are shorter in Chicago than in DC? I remember in DC, each of the seasons were pretty balanced, 3 months each.

[personone]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

A. Boston receives a lot more snow, and not as cold due to moderating influences of the Atlantic.
B. We sort of get Spring, as lake breeze season can extend winter well into April.

A. Yes, Boston gets more snow and is not as cold as Chicago. I mentioned that Chicago is probably not terribly different to mean that both Chicago and Boston (Northeast) have more harsh “winter” weather than DC. The poster mentioned the northeast as being the baseline for 4 seasons. Just pointing out that Chicago’s seasons (especially winter) likely align closer to the Northeast (especially the upper half) than DC’s.

B. We still get a Spring. As I mentioned, it’s stays cold for longer, but you still get spring colors/ blossoms/greenery/bright sunny days. It just takes longer to arrive and depending on the year, it can still be cold in April or even May.

[personone]

Originally Posted by VitoM2000

Great analysis, thank you. So would you say that then the springs, summers, and falls are shorter in Chicago than in DC? I remember in DC, each of the seasons were pretty balanced, 3 months each.

I would say DC’s are slightly more balanced. Summer and Fall in Chicago are usually the standard 3 months, but because winter lasts longer, spring is a little shorter. Although you can still start to see hints of spring starting in March (it starts getting lighter out, blossoms/flowers, spring colors, etc.). But you may see snow flurries (even snow) in March or April.

[Avondalist]

We're changing seasons right now, supposed to be in the low 50s tomorrow.

[Teacher Terry]

Winters can be long. You just never know as it’s unpredictable.

[flamadiddle]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

A. Boston receives a lot more snow, and not as cold due to moderating influences of the Atlantic.
B. We sort of get Spring, as lake breeze season can extend winter well into April.

A lot more snow is a bit of a stretch, Boston may get bigger snowstorms (Nor'easter), but Chicago gets an average of 37 inches of snow per year vs. Boston at 48 inches. Back in 1979 Chicago got ~90 inches of snow and as recent as 2014 we got 82 inches so it's possible to get hammered here.

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

Overall both Boston and Chicago have 4 distinct seasons.

[VitoM2000]

Originally Posted by personone

I would say DC’s are slightly more balanced. Summer and Fall in Chicago are usually the standard 3 months, but because winter lasts longer, spring is a little shorter. Although you can still start to see hints of spring starting in March (it starts getting lighter out, blossoms/flowers, spring colors, etc.). But you may see snow flurries (even snow) in March or April.

Gotcha, so on average in Chicago, would you say that Summer and Fall are 3 months each, winter is 4, and spring 2?