Most oppressive summer : Downtown Chicago vs Downtown Los Angeles

[Marie Joseph]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

LA is very pleasant in the summer. Chicago can be oppressive for weeks. When I compared the temps, the nightly lows were LA 64F & Chicago 68F and when you combine that with the additional humidity of Chicago, it's significantly more oppressive than LA.

Rain for Jun-Jul:

LA - 0.14"
Chicago - 12.01"

Probably a matter of opinion

I've been in Chicago when it's been hot, and it's oppressive. It's absolutely miserable when you have things to do and it's over 85 F out.

Chicago isn't dry but IMO and in my experience, it's not as humid as many other places I've lived. New Orleans was hot'n'sticky for sure!

I've been outside (for a few moments) in Phoenix when it's been hot, and it's oppressive. Just as miserable even though there's no humidity there. Over 85 F feels awful to me no matter how dry it is, lol

It's miserable when it's hot here in Erie; it's more humid here on average than it is in Chicago or in LA but I'm no more miserable than I was in Chicago and it was hot.

Some people just get miserable about hot weather. IMO it feels oppressive no matter what the RH.

I would be scared to live in a place with so little rain; it's a tinder box. Plus I like lots of greenery.

Different strokes so they say I guess.

[marlaver]

Originally Posted by brianpmcdonnell17

Here is the Summer data for the closest NOAA Stations to Downtown during the last 5 years:

Chicago (Northerly Island)
June 75.6/60.2
July 78.6/66.2
August 79.0/67.2
September 74.6/62.1
Summer Average 77.0/63.9

Los Angeles (USC)
June 78.8/62.2
July 83.3/65.8
August 84.1/65.9
September 85.1/66.0
Summer Average 82.8/65.0

Even though the sample size is small and humidity is higher in Chicago, I believe a 6 degree difference in high temperatures is a very significant difference.

Plus, the sun at lower latitudes feels stronger and downtown LA doesn't have a sea-lake breeze like downtown CHI had to have.

[Baba_Wethu]

Originally Posted by marlaver

Plus, the sun at lower latitudes feels stronger and downtown LA doesn't have a sea-lake breeze like downtown CHI had to have.

Actually the Chicago sun will make you feel hotter than the LA sun (in summer). The most effective sun angle for warming vertical objects is 45°, and since our body is a cylinder with more vertical area than horizontal, the most effectove angle rises a bit to maybe 55°

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by droc31

Chicago I'd say has hotter, more humid summers. This was definitely the case during the record-breaking summer heat waves in 1988 and 1995. Though the LA Basin has a greater contrast in temperature throughout the region (it can be mid 70s in Santa Monica and 100+ 70 miles to the east in Riverside and San Bernardino. Victorville, which is unofficially the gateway to Greater Los Angeles regularly reaches 110-115, but it's a drier, more arid heat than what's found in the Midwest and Great Lakes.

And 2012, which statistically beat 95' on temps.
Although 95' had higher dew points, heat index hit 125 that summer.

[chicagogeorge]

Originally Posted by brianpmcdonnell17

Here is the Summer data for the closest NOAA Stations to Downtown during the last 5 years:

Chicago (Northerly Island)
June 75.6/60.2
July 78.6/66.2
August 79.0/67.2
September 74.6/62.1
Summer Average 77.0/63.9

Los Angeles (USC)
June 78.8/62.2
July 83.3/65.8
August 84.1/65.9
September 85.1/66.0
Summer Average 82.8/65.0

Even though the sample size is small and humidity is higher in Chicago, I believe a 6 degree difference in high temperatures is a very significant difference.

Not sure if Northerly Island is a good station for downtown even if it is "downtown". The problem is that the station is literally out on the water. Literally surrounded by water.

If you were in the Loop (a mile inland) it might be different. The reason I say this is look at the UofC averages. That station is only 1.4 miles inland and is basically identical to Midway which is 9 miles inland.