The climate in Chicago is classified as humid continental featuring four distinct
seasons. Temperatures peak in July at about 85°F (29.4°C) with January as the
coldest month averaging 34°F (-.5°C). Temperatures can be more extreme, reaching
a humid 98°F (37°C) in the summers, with winters reaching as low as -15°F(-26°C).
Average rainfall is about 34 inches a year, but it is common for Chicago to
receive a significant amount of snowfall, especially on the lakefront. Summer
thunderstorms are frequent, but may hit one part of the city without touching
the other sections. For forecasts and current weather conditions, consult:
http://www.wunderground.com/US/IL/Chicago.html
Chicago is also known for its strong winds through the heart of the city resulting in the nickname of the "windy city". Winds are actually no stronger in other places, but after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 the city was rebuilt in a grid pattern resulting in man-made wind tunnels along the streets of downtown. Besides this obvious reason for the nickname, "windy city" has also been said to refer to Chicagoan's penchant for bragging about their city, a rivalry with Cincinnati, and it's politicians who are known to "blow a lot of hot air".
Today's Chicago is marked by one of the world's tallest skylines, including the one-time tallest building in the world, the Sears tower. The city actually has three of the world's 10 tallest buildings, along with the tallest apartment building, the largest hotel, the largest commercial structure, and the largest post office. Some of Chicago's other most identifiable features are less tangible. Chicagoans are passionate about their often losing sports teams like the Cubs, White Sox, and Bears; their "foodie" reputation which includes a "deep-dish" pizza and the Chicago Hot Dog; and the Chicago blues which radiate from the heart of the city.