The end of Daylight Savings Time marks the unofficial start of consistent cold weather. With sunsets already beginning at four p.m. and a predicted La Niña winter the Midwest is no stranger to cold weather. We have several ways of adapting to a colder environment and even more ways to complain about it.
As a Windy City native, here are some pros and cons of cold weather to help you both look forward to five feet of snow or start thinking about boarding up your windows.
Pros
Outdoor winter activities
There are some fun bucket list things to do, like sledding, ice fishing, and snowball fights, that can only be done in the colder temperatures. These activities that involve snow and ice can only occur seasonally. Don’t just travel to the appropriate climate where it is as comfortable as it is functional when you could have your own ice rink on the roads tomorrow morning.
Stay at home more often
Summer is full of outdoor activities, so our time is spent vacationing, visiting beaches or water parks and enjoying the warm weather. Not indoors. Colder months bring the holidays, a time for family and friends. Warm, cozy nights watching movies with hot beverages isn’t the same during the summer when we all need two or three fans blowing toward us–minimum.
The aesthetic
Nothing beats the crisp morning of the first snow, or the hazy light phenomena that occurs with snowy conditions against the night sky. Fall brings colorful leaves and breezes of campfire. Blankets of snow fall over cityscapes and towns. You won’t find much better anywhere else–except winter climates where these scenes are clean and untouched.
It’s much easier to layer clothes without overheating
As temperatures begin to drop and the winter jackets come out our bodies begin to acclimate. This adjustment process may be more difficult for some who aren’t used to Midwestern weather that ranges from below freezing mornings to sunny afternoons. But through minimal exposure over time–and long underwear with two extra coats–the body will adapt. And don’t worry. Even if your car A/C breaks you’ll always have heat so long as the engine is running.
Cons
Seasonal affective disorder
The winter blues are real. The end of DST brings shorter days, meaning less sunlight and its necessary benefits. This can trigger a chemical imbalance in our brains that may cause depression-like symptoms, including extreme fatigue, isolation, and anxiety. The sun is more important than we may think.
Storms
Some winters are worse than others but on average we will have one or two major snow and ice storms per season. These don’t only inhibit our ability to venture into the world. They could keep you inside for many days. Remember the ice storm of 2023? The sub-zero temperatures of 2022? Winter storms are inconvenient to everyday life and highly dangerous. And they are getting worse.
Cold and flu season
2020 was no joke. The era of a pandemic changed the landscape of diseases and how we approach them, especially with common colds and the rise of flu during colder months. Our immune systems take the brunt of harsh winds and dry air.
Climate change
It’s no secret that Earth is getting hotter. The summers leading up to 2025 have set many records for all-time high temperatures, and even most winters have been mild. Temperatures will only continue to rise. Light pollution and smog affect the beauty of winter.
The excess moisture and humidity due to warmer atmospheres lead to more rainfall than snow. Winter is not the same as it once was. Climate change is a serious issue that requires attention and restoration.
Climate change is a serious issue that requires attention and restoration. Paying attention to seasonal changes is the first step to doing our part for the earth.