Pack or skip
Scarf for Chicago in January
Verdict
Pack it
Lows around 17°F — a scarf traps warmth at the neck for zero bulk.
Why
Chicago in January averages highs of 32°F, lows of 17°F, 11 rainy days.
That climate means a scarf earns its space in the bag. Lows around 17°F — a scarf traps warmth at the neck for zero bulk.