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Most of Chicago's cons are weather-related, especially the snow events during the winter and most involve ice on the roads and the extreme cold freezing ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water. The only redeeming pros are the man-made cityscape, the lakefront scenery--especially in the city center, and its economic dominance in the region--especially the jobs and incomes. A good job and the economic dominance creating a huge population and economic center with so many choices can outweigh, albeit slightly, the downsides of the climate.
Last edited by JMT; 08-15-2017 at 07:57 PM..
Reason: Houston is not part of this thread.
Most of Chicago's cons are weather-related, especially the snow events during the winter and most involve ice on the roads and the extreme cold freezing ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water. The only redeeming pros are the man-made cityscape, the lakefront scenery--especially in the city center, and its economic dominance in the region--especially the jobs and incomes. A good job and the economic dominance creating a huge population and economic center with so many choices can outweigh, albeit slightly, the downsides of the climate.
The grass here and in Chicago can stay green throughout the winter in some of the warmer years, it just happened a year or two ago. Many times it stays green well into January before it starts to brown.
Snow cover can come and go depending on the year, but consistent snow cover is extremely rare, and only happens in years that are extremely cold, like the polar vortex years. You need to go much farther north to get consistent winter snow cover.
Overall, Chicago's winter is not extreme on average, but can get very cold at times over the season and in certain years.
The grass here and in Chicago can stay green throughout the winter in some of the warmer years, it just happened a year or two ago. Many times it stays green well into January before it starts to brown.
Snow cover can come and go depending on the year, but consistent snow cover is extremely rare, and only happens in years that are extremely cold, like the polar vortex years. You need to go much farther north to get consistent winter snow cover.
Overall, Chicago's winter is not extreme on average, but can get very cold at times over the season and in certain years.
Very good description of a typical Chicago winter. I lived in Chicago for years, and the majority of the winter months, there was no snow cover. Consistent snow cover, as you stated, is extremely rare.
So we can cherry pick years, kinds of trees and months of course. But I THINK THE ABOVE VIEWS ARE FAIR. HOPEFULLY THEY SHOW AS I INTENDED..... as they changed seasons as I wanted when I double checked. Sometimes they don't stay that month I wanted...
The point I was trying to make is that Dallas does not look like a Northern city in the Winter as some have claimed. There's too many areas with flowers and greenery. I live near Highland Park so my neighborhood is probably more green than some poorer areas of town.
I love how out of towners have this vision of Chicago as some cold frigid wasteland in the winter.
It gets sub 20 maybe a week or two and not consecutively.
The peak of winter hovers in the low 30s and dips to 20s at night.
Then you have breaks of high 30s to 40s which honestly isn't bad at all. You can enjoy a day out in those temps.
One thing that's great about Chicago winters is Christmas. Chicago and NYC are the best places to be around the holidays. Such a nice festive energy with the outdoor markets, lights, and snow if one is lucky. Maybe it's the midwesterner in me but it doesn't feel like the holidays without the cold and snow. Also, so much of Chicago's attractions are indoors and accessible year round. While summer is the best time to visit, i think it's entirely possible to have an authentic and enjoyable experience in Chicago in the winter.
I don't think Dallas summers have as many redeeming qualities so I choose Chicago winters.
Very good description of a typical Chicago winter. I lived in Chicago for years, and the majority of the winter months, there was no snow cover. Consistent snow cover, as you stated, is extremely rare.
and, as I said earlier in this thread, a Chicago winter is usually quite survivable. We don't get covered with snow a lot. And there are many days that aren't that cold where we can easily get out and about.
I meant days that are entirely below freezing not just freezing lows. Dallas regularly hits the 90s from early-mid June until mid September.
And the 90s are only the high temperatures, with lows cooling down to the 70s. What is your point?
Quote:
Originally Posted by R1070
The point I was trying to make is that Dallas does not look like a Northern city in the Winter as some have claimed. There's too many areas with flowers and greenery. I live near Highland Park so my neighborhood is probably more green than some poorer areas of town.
That's the point that these Northerners aren't understanding: it doesn't matter how many areas of brown, leafless areas you find in Dallas during winter, it doesn't matter if it isn't like Miami-style, it still stands that there are plentiful evergreens in a form and degree not seen up North. Form especially important, since we are referring to evergreens of lower-latitudes (broadleaf evergreens + conifers adapted to warmer climates), not the same as the "Christmas tree" evergreens of the North.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alacran
I love how out of towners have this vision of Chicago as some cold frigid wasteland in the winter.
It gets sub 20 maybe a week or two and not consecutively.
The peak of winter hovers in the low 30s and dips to 20s at night.
Then you have breaks of high 30s to 40s which honestly isn't bad at all. You can enjoy a day out in those temps.
Average highs right around freezing (even slightly below in January), with lows in the low 20s/teens. Pretty cold if you ask me.
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HOPEFULLY THEY SHOW AS I INTENDED..... as they changed seasons as I wanted when I double checked. Sometimes they don't stay that month I wanted...
