Chicago is one of the coldest major cities in the United States. Temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or colder are common, and the Windy City experiences subzero days yearly. In 2024, wind chills reached below negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold can be tough to handle, but you can take it in your stride and enjoy the season with proper preparation. 

Whether you're a native Chicagoan, a new resident or just passing through, this Chicago winter preparedness guide will help you keep cozy on the coldest days.

Staying Warm at Home in Chicago

Even while indoors, staying warm through the Chicago winter takes some prep. Follow these six tips to keep your home cozy and safe:

1. Stay where it's warm: Stay indoors in heated rooms as much as possible. If you're a tenant, the Chicago Heat Ordinance requires your landlord to provide heating to maintain a temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and 66 degrees Fahrenheit from 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. throughout winter.
2. Cover windows: During the day, keep curtains and blinds open to let as much sunlight in as possible. But from sunset on, close your blinds and curtains and cover windows with blankets if necessary. If you have any cracks around your windows or doors, use rugs, towels or newspapers to seal them off. 
3. Close doors: Close the doors of any room you're not using and put rugs or towels under the doors. This is especially important if you don't have indoor heating, but even if you do, it will help improve your home's energy efficiency.
4. Take precautions: If you're using a furnace or kerosene heater, follow safety guidelines and ensure quality ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and other dangers. Keep kerosene heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials and refuel them outdoors. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home if you can.
5. Mind your pipes: If you turn on your faucet and little to no water comes out, the Chicago winter may have frozen your pipes. Never try to thaw them yourself with a flame or torch. Instead, call a plumber immediately and contact your insurer to check that they'll pay for any work necessary to keep your plumbing safe and functional.
6. Dress snugly: Wear layers and thick socks or slippers. Remove damp clothes if you've just come in from rainy or snowy weather. Cover yourself with blankets if necessary.

How to Dress for Chicago Winter

Picking the right Chicago winter clothes is essential for staying warm through the chilly season. Here's how to dress for winter in the Windy City: 

• Layering: Layering is a great strategy to maintain as much body heat as possible while allowing you to remove items if you enter a heated space. Start with thermal underwear as a base layer. Then, add a cozy mid-layer of your choice, and finally, throw on some outerwear to protect you from the elements. 
• Bottoms: These could be jeans, sweatpants, snow pants, long skirts or anything that keeps your legs warm and fits comfortably over your thermals. Consider thicker fabrics like wool or flannel for the coldest days.
• Tops: Your top mid-layer could be a shirt, sweatshirt, sweater or hoodie. Choose a warm material like wool, but avoid pieces that are too bulky if you plan on putting on a jacket or coat as well.
• Outerwear: A coat or jacket is a lifesaver once temperatures drop into the low 40s or colder. Outwear is also essential for windy, rainy or snowy days. If it's raining or snowing, make sure your jacket is waterproof.
• Socks: Wool socks are ideal for keeping your feet warm, dry and comfortable. If you're staying in and not wearing shoes, grab a thicker pair or even double up if your feet feel chilly.
• Shoes: The best shoes for Chicago winters are warm, waterproof boots with great grip in case you need to walk in the snow.
• Gloves: Your fingers can be vulnerable to Chicago's winter chill. Protect them with insulated, waterproof gloves or snug mittens at the wrists to keep the cold off your hands.
• Headwear: Accessories to keep your head and ears warm include beanies, scarves and — for extreme cold — facemasks. 

Warming Up While Outdoors in Chicago

Staying indoors on the coldest days is always advisable. But if you need to go somewhere, keep these tips in mind to survive Chicago in the winter. 

Know the Locations

When temperatures dip to freezing or below, the city activates warming areas at six community service centers that you can access during business hours if you need to get out of the cold. You can find these at: 

• Englewood Center, 1140 W. 79th Street.
• Garfield Center, 10 S. Kedzie Avenue.
• King Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Avenue.
• North Area Center, 845 W. Wilson Avenue.
• South Chicago Center, 8650 S. Commercial Avenue.
• Trina Davila Center, 4312 W. North Avenue.

Other public spaces like libraries also make warm spaces available during their operating hours.

Save the Number

Call 3-1-1 for help if you need to:

• Find a warm place after hours.
• Request shelter.
• Request a well-being check for a senior or homeless neighbor.
• Report insufficient heating in violation of the Chicago Heat Ordinance.

Take It Easy

Eat nutritious meals and take regular breaks. The cold strains your heart, and added strain from walking in or shoveling snow can quickly lead to overexertion. Call for help if you feel pain or tightness in your chest.

Drive With Care

Increase your following distance and reduce your speed as conditions worsen. If the Chicago winter weather becomes extreme, be ready to turn back or seek shelter. Always clear your window of ice and snow before driving.

Understand the Risks

Frostbite and hypothermia are real dangers while outdoors in the Chicago winter. If you notice symptoms, seek medical help. Slowly warming yourself from the core outward for hypothermia or in the affected area for frostbite. Symptoms include:

• Frostbite: Numbness and changes in skin color in the affected area, usually your fingers, toes, nose or ears.
• Hypothermia: Slow or slurred speech, mental incoherence or disorientation, uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, drowsiness or exhaustion.

Visit Volo Museum in Chicago This Winter

Keeping your body warm and your spirits high in the Chicago winter can be a challenge. But by dressing warm, preparing your home and looking after yourself while outdoors, you can thrive until spring comes. One way to make the most of the season is by stepping out of the cold to enjoy the attractions at Volo Museum in Chicago.

This world-famous automobile museum has drawn millions of visitors from across the world to see one of the largest collections of modern and classic collector cars in the United States. Along with 400 cars, including famous movie cars, we display boats, planes, trains, a military museum and an animatronic dinosaur park. There's something for everyone at Volo Museum, and our collection is always rotating, so you can discover something new even if you've visited us before. And before you leave, be sure to savor a hot meal and drink at Grams Central Station, our on-site restaurant.

Buy your ticket to Volo Museum today and make your winter wonderful.