Pack or skip
Winter coat for Chicago in January
Verdict
Pack it
Average lows dip to 17°F — a real winter coat, not a jacket.
Why
Chicago in January averages highs of 32°F, lows of 17°F, 11 rainy days.
That climate means a winter coat earns its space in the bag. Average lows dip to 17°F — a real winter coat, not a jacket.