Here's a comprehensive summary of Chicago's climate:
Chicago experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate, offering four distinct seasons from hot, humid summers to cold, snowy winters. Its weather is significantly influenced by the nearby Lake Michigan, which contributes to moderate and relatively even precipitation throughout the year. Official weather records for the city date back to 1870, though early data was tragically lost in the Great Chicago Fire, with O'Hare International Airport now serving as the primary observation station. Winters are notably cold, averaging 36 inches of annual snowfall, and experience wide temperature swings, with a record high of 75°F and a frigid low of -27°F recorded during the meteorological winter months.