They wouldn't do much good in Chicago, temps in the 90's and even higher humdiditty.
They work great in desert climates though.
Now it's my turn: I don't have a personal reference for northeastern climate, so you're educating me.
It's so funny: We get to become acquainted with each other without having any real empathetic knowledge of each other's environment.
Strange phenomenon about Seattle, though...it can be pouring rain outside and I can have static electricity inside! Don't mean to sound "woo-woo," but it's really true.