Chicago features a hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen classification *Dfa*), characterized by four distinct seasons.
* **Spring & Autumn:** These transitional seasons are generally mild, pleasant, and moderately humid, though spring can be unpredictable with late frosts. * **Summer:** Summers are hot and humid. July average highs are around 84°F (29°C), but temperatures frequently exceed 90°F (32°C). Heat waves are a recognized natural hazard. * **Winter:** Winters are cold, snowy, and breezy. January average highs hover around 32°F (0°C), with nighttime lows frequently dropping below freezing. Arctic blasts can occasionally plunge temperatures well below zero. * **Precipitation:** The city receives an average of 37 inches of rainfall and about 36 inches of snowfall annually. * **The Lake Effect:** Lake Michigan exerts a moderating influence on the city's climate, keeping shoreline neighborhoods cooler in the summer and slightly warmer in the winter. * **Best Time to Visit:** May through September, when outdoor festivals, lakefront activities, and neighborhood street fairs are in full swing.