Chicago is a very popular city in the United States. It is located in Illinois which is a state in the US.
Chicago is known for the brilliant architecture of its buildings, food especially Chicago-style pizza, etc.
Chicago is the third most populous city of IS after New York and Los Angeles as Chicago is home to 2.7 million people.
Because of the amazing architecture of the buildings, Chicago has a beautiful skyline.
The skyline of Chicago is the second-best skyline in the US.
Because of all of these facts, who wouldn’t want to go to Chicago?
If you are planning to visit Chicago in January, you must be worried about your clothing choices.
You would be wondering what you should wear that will not only look good but will also be appropriate according to Chicago’s weather in January.
Visiting Chicago in January
Usually, the weather in Chicago is mild in summer while the winter season is very cold.
January is the coldest month in Chicago because the temperature usually stays below the freezing point during this month.
January is an ideal month to visit Chicago for people who love winters. However, protecting yourself from extreme cold should be a top priority during winter.
Chicago is not crowded in January as not many people visit Chicago during this time so you’ll get cheap flights and accommodation.
Although there aren’t many outdoor activities in January, you can participate in different indoor activities.
While visiting Chicago in January, you should wear warm clothes in layers. You can wear thermal undergarments to repel the cold.
Chicago’s Weather in January
Before visiting any place you should be aware of its weather so that you can wear the clothes accordingly.
Normally the average temperature of Chicago in January stays between 34°F (1°C) and 21°F (-6°C).
January is the coldest month of the year in Chicago and usually, any day from the last of January is the coldest day of the year.
It doesn’t rain a lot in January but there can be a day or two when it may rain in Chicago. Most of the days are cloudy, however, there can be a few days when the sun shines.
If we talk about the snowfall, Chicago sees about 10-15 inches of snowfall in January. Because of the heavy snowfall, Chicago gets paralyzed sometimes as there can be no movement in the heavy snow.
Because of the extreme weather, you should wear a lot of layers of warm clothes to protect yourself from the freezing temperature.
What to Wear for Daytime Activities in Chicago?
Although Chicago is very cold and you barely get to participate in outdoor activities.
However, for winter lovers, there are many activities and events to dress up for.
The number one activity to enjoy in Chicago during the extreme coldness of January is Ice Skating.
You can find different Ice skating rinks in different areas of Chicago.
During this activity, you should wear leggings because ice skating rinks are cold. Also wear warm but thin socks as thick socks might feel uncomfortable in skates.
Also, don’t wear skinny jeans as they can hinder your movement while skating. Instead, wear pants such as yoga pants or sweatpants.
Some accessories that you should wear are a warm cap and gloves. You can also wear a helmet if you’re new to ice skating as it will give you both protection and warmth.
If the weather does not allow you to be outside, you can participate in different indoor activities.
You can go to different museums in Chicago. Wear a long coat on top of a vest and thermal undergarments while visiting a museum to look classic.
You can also wear a co-ord outfit and top it with a jacket or a long coat. Wear boots or thick shoes to complete the look.
While going for lunch at a restaurant or for a quick coffee run, wear layers that can be easily removed as restaurants are mostly warm.
You can also watch a hockey or basketball game in Chicago as different sporting events are happening this month.
Wear comfortable but warm clothes. These places are mostly crowded so wear something that does not only keep you warm but is also comfortable to move around easily.
What to Wear for Nighttime Activities in Chicago?
The temperature of Chicago in January may drop below the freezing point but that shouldn’t stop you from participating in indoor activities.
If you’re traveling to Chicago during the start of the month, you can go to Winter WonderFest which starts in December and ends in January.
You can either visit this winter festival during the daytime or N
nighttime as it closes at 8 PM on weekdays and 10 Pm during the nighttimes.
You can wear thermal undergarments and layer them with a turtleneck and to top it off, wear a jacket or a coat. You can wear a pair of jeans and boots to get protection from the cold weather.
You can enjoy your time on a Ferris wheel and other rides, can skate on an indoor skating rink, and take many pictures.
People who are shopaholics can go shopping in Chicago during the nighttime. Wear removable layers such as jackets or coats as most of the shops are warm.
Chicago has many theatres and since nights in Chicago are very cold in January so you can go to a theatre to kill your boredom.
Wear layers that can be removed easily so that you can sit comfortably. Also, many theaters are heated so there’s no need to have too many layers of clothing.
End the night with the local food of Chicago which is widely famous. Instead of sitting in your hotel room due to the heavy snowfall, search for the best places to eat in Chicago and Google.
Wear thermal undergarments, top it with a knitted sweater and a long coat along with a pair of jeans and ankle boots.
Add a scarf, a pair of gloves, and a warm cap to complete the look. Go out and end your day with deep-dish pizza and a dessert.
Other things you should pack for a holiday in Chicago
You should pack warm clothes for the extreme winters of Chicago. Don’t pack thick clothes. Instead, pack different clothes that you can layer to make different outfits.
Here are some essentials you should pack while visiting Chicago in January.
- Toiletries
- Charger
- Travel adapter
- Wireless charger
- Camera
- Thermals
- Scarf
- Gloves
- Cap
Final Words
Winter in Chicago is very extreme and January is the coldest month in Chicago. It snows a lot during this month and the temperature usually stays below the freezing point.
To tackle this extremely cold weather, wear thermals and warm clothes in layers. Wear warm boots and warm socks to protect your feet from thick snow.
By wearing warm outfits, you can participate in different winter activities in Chicago and can easily enjoy your time without being bored.
