Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicagoan here adding this is a great question! I used to work downtown and would see all these families who came to Chicago for spring break absolutely freezing because they assumed April it would be warmish.

OP here. The last time I was there was in March and I had a light jacket and froze! I'm definitely checking the weather and bringing gloves and a hat.

March in Chicago is still in full fledged winter. It doesn't really get to be warm (55-60 degrees on a regular basis) until May. We then get about 2-3 weeks of nice spring weather and then bam, it's 80-90 and humid. I hate Chicago weather and I live here.

Anonymous wrote:Chicagoan here adding this is a great question! I used to work downtown and would see all these families who came to Chicago for spring break absolutely freezing because they assumed April it would be warmish.

OP here. The last time I was there was in March and I had a light jacket and froze! I'm definitely checking the weather and bringing gloves and a hat.

Anonymous wrote:Chicagoan here adding this is a great question! I used to work downtown and would see all these families who came to Chicago for spring break absolutely freezing because they assumed April it would be warmish.

But it’s so easy to check the destination weather these days.

Chicagoan here adding this is a great question! I used to work downtown and would see all these families who came to Chicago for spring break absolutely freezing because they assumed April it would be warmish.

I live in Chicago and I'm a big vest with a sweater, gloves and hat person for cold October.

But also wore like a down puffer that Halloween a few years ago when it snowed so agree with all - check the forecast. Also it's colder by the lake (downtown) so be specific about where you are going when you look up the weather.

Thanks for all the answers; I appreciate it! I'll bring layers and the wool coat knowing that I may or may not need it. Thanks again!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live nearby. You will not know ahead of time, you need to look at the weather just before you go. It can be 80 or it could be snowing that time of year.

This

Exactly! I live in Chicago and we've had both high 70s and snow on Halloween. If you have to pack well in advance, layers is the right move.

I did this trip a few years ago for a wedding. The coat I’d worn the year before was trashed, so I went to Chicago without a coat. Best decision ever! It was cold, so I bought two coats at the Nordstrom rack downtown and am still loving both of them.

Anonymous wrote:I live nearby. You will not know ahead of time, you need to look at the weather just before you go. It can be 80 or it could be snowing that time of year.

This

I live nearby. You will not know ahead of time, you need to look at the weather just before you go. It can be 80 or it could be snowing that time of year.

Stick with the wool coat but bring layers. I recall Halloween can be really cold or not bad so pretty unpredictable.

Always, always assume Chicago will be colder than you think it will be. And when you check the forecast, assume it’ll feel at least 10 degrees colder than whatever it says.

- a person who’s had to purchase more than one jacket in Chicago!

Wool

I’d go with the wool coat.

I'm visiting Chicago around October 20. Will I need a warm coat or just a jacket? I have a wool coat and a down coat. Will it be cold enough for either of those?