Pack or skip
Winter coat for Chicago in December
Verdict
Pack it
Average lows dip to 22°F — a real winter coat, not a jacket.
Why
Chicago in December averages highs of 36°F, lows of 22°F, 11 rainy days.
That climate means a winter coat earns its space in the bag. Average lows dip to 22°F — a real winter coat, not a jacket.