Don't believe the hype. The so-called "Windy City" (see City Life, Transportation in Hyde Park sidelight, "The Windy City—full of hot air?"), Chicago actually ranks 14th for wind velocity in the country. And the winters aren't that bad: There's an average of 30 inches of the white stuff from November through March, and January's mean temperature is a balmy 21°F (-6°C). The perfect outdoor weather runs from about June through September (although you may have to contend with a few tropically hot days). And through late September, Lake Michigan is usually great for swimming.

To get the forecast online:

Chicago Metropolitan Weather
Web: iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/il/zone.html
This site presents the Chicago Metropolitan Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service in Chicago.

The Weather Underground
Web: www.wunderground.com/forecasts/IL.html
Find out the local weather by zip code, or check on weather by city, state, or country.

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