Chicago is nicknamed the "Windy City" - but not because of
its wind speeds. The average wind velocity here is 10.3 miles an hour,
Among the 13 cities with higher average velocities are Boston, 13.1;
Buffalo, 12.6 and Cleveland, 10.9. The nickname originated in an editorial
of the now defunct New York Sun when Chicago and New York City were
competing to host the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Charles A.
Dana, editor of the New York Sun, wrote an editorial telling New Yorkers
to pay no attention to the "nonsensical claims of that windy city.
Its people could not hold a world's fair even if they won it."
Chicago can be hot and humid in the summer and extremely cold in the
winter. The best times to visit are from April through October, when
average high temperatures range from 60 to 90 degrees F (16-32 degrees
C.) If you plan to visit in the winter, be aware that the average temperature
in December is about 29 F (-2 C), though the wind will make you feel
much colder.
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