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Climate in Chicago (Illinois)


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours

Flag - United States

Chicago, where it's located


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Climate chart - Chicago
Chicago is the largest city of Illinois, and it's located in the American Midwest, at nearly 42 degrees north latitude, along the banks of Lake Michigan. Here, the climate is continental, with cold winters (when there are many periods below freezing) and hot summers. Although the city is located at a middle latitude, in winter it is cold because the North American land mass cools down a lot, and polar air outbreaks are frequent. Given the distance from the sea and the exposure to different types of air masses, temperature changes are frequent.

The average temperature in January is about -3 °C (26.5 °F), and in July it is about 25 °C (77 °F).

Precipitation amounts to 960 millimeters (37.9 inches) per year and is well distributed over the seasons, at least in frequency, while in terms of quantity, the winter is the driest season. In winter, and also in spring and autumn, weather fronts pass over the area, while in late spring and summer, when they become less frequent, thunderstorms can form in the afternoon or evening: it is no coincidence that the wettest period is from May to August.
In winter, precipitation mainly occurs in the form of snow. An average of 98 centimeters (38.5 inches) of snow falls per year; every once in a while, a snowfall can be seen already in October, while in spring, sometimes it can snow even in April. The record belongs to the winter of 1978-79, when a total of 228 cm (90 in) of snow fell.

Chicago skyline and lake

Winter in Chicago runs from late November to early March and is very cold, to the point that the average temperature is reminiscent of Northern European cities. But at least, the days here are not as short as in the Nordic countries.
Snowfall is frequent, so much so that it snows for several days in a month; sometimes, real snowstorms can occur.
Polar cold spells are accompanied by the blizzard, the north wind blowing in gusts and able to heighten the feeling of cold. Particularly cold periods, with minimum temperatures dropping to -20 °C (-4 °F), occur practically every year, and sometimes they can even drop to around -30 °C (-22 °F). The coldest record is -32.8 °C (-27 °F) and was set in January 1985 at O'Hare airport.
Although the temperature remains below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) even during the day for weeks, sometimes it can exceed freezing also in winter, resulting in melting snow and possible rainfall. Every so often, the phenomenon called "ice storm" (or freezing rain) can also occur, that is, rain falling on frozen ground, freezing everything, roads, trees, light poles, cars etc.

Spring, from mid-March to May, is an unstable season, characterized by different situations and temperature changes: initially cold in March, with snowfalls and frosts still quite frequent, it advances gradually, between the first warm days and the return of cold weather conditions.
In early April, it can still snow; on the other hand, during the month the first warm days can occur, with highs around 30 °C (86 °F). In fine weather, a cool (or even cold) breeze in the afternoon blows from the lake, which is felt especially in the eastern districts of the city.
In May, it can still be cold at night, especially at the beginning of the month, while on other occasions, it can be hot, with highs above 30 °C (86 °F). In April and May, in the first fine and warm days, the first thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening can occur.

Summer, from June to August, is hot, humid and sunny, with some afternoon or evening thunderstorms. There may be some pleasant days, with highs around 25/27 °C (77/81 °F) and cool nights, but also real heat waves, with highs around 35 °C (95 °F) and beyond. In the worst moments, the temperature can reach as high as 40 °C (104 °F), as happened in July 2012.

Autumn, from September to November, is the (relatively) quietest period of year. However, we can not rule out early cold weather periods or the return of warm temperatures, and even waves of bad weather.
In early September, the weather is still often characterized by heat and humidity, with sunshine and some afternoon thunderstorms, while later, it becomes milder. In early October, particularly mild days, even warm, can occur, but in the course of the month there may be slight frosts. Between late October and early November, usually after the first night frosts, a mild period, with highs above 20 °C (68 °F), can occur: it's the so-called Indian summer. However, during the month of November it can get cold, with the first snowfalls and intense frosts.

The amount of sunshine in Chicago is very good in summer, when there are several sunny days, and it's good in May and September. In the other months, the sun shines a little less often, however, some sunny days can also occur in the middle of winter. There are on average 2,500 hours of sunshine per year.

Near Chicago, Lake Michigan is very cold in winter (and it can partially freeze on colder winters, and fully on the coast), while in summer it is still cool, but becomes almost acceptable for swimming, at least in August, or for those who do not suffer from the cold. However, it depends on the period: after a series of a few hot days in a row, the lake can become more temperate.

Best Time


The best period to visit Chicago is the beginning of autumn, from early September to mid-October. You can also choose the spring, from mid-April to late May, but it is a more unstable and windy season. However, in both periods, you may run into a bit of cold at night, or hot temperatures during the day, or some rainy days.
Those who can stand the heat can also choose the summer, which has longer days and more hours of sunshine, but also the risk of very hot days. However, the summer can also give acceptable periods (and maybe, cool nights as well).

The following data was recorded at Chicago Midway International Airport.

Chicago - Climate data


In Chicago, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -3 °C, that of the warmest month (July) is of 24.8 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Chicago - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
Temperatures (°C)
MonthMinMaxMean
January-6.70.7-3
February-4.82.9-1
March0.194.6
April5.515.910.7
May11.522.316.9
June17.127.322.2
July20.129.524.8
August19.428.223.8
September15.224.720
October8.517.813.2
November29.85.9
December-3.43.40
Year7.11611.55

Precipitation amounts to 960 millimeters per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 50 millimeters in the driest months (January, February) to 115 millimeters in the wettest one (May). Here is the average precipitation.
Chicago - Average precipitation
MonthRain (mm)Days
January5011
February509
March6011
April9512
May11512
June10511
July9510
August1109
September808
October8510
November6010
December5511
Year960126

The lake temperature ranges from 1 °C in January, February to 21 °C in August. Here are the average lake temperatures.
Chicago - Lake temperature
MonthTemperatures (°C)
January11
February1
March3
April7.5
May12.5
June17
July19.5
August21
September20
October16
November9">
December4.5
Year11.1

There are on average around 2510 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Chicago - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January4.5135
February5135
March6185
April7215
May9280
June10.5310
July10.5320
August9285
September7.5225
October6195
November4115
December3.5105
Year6.92510

Chicago - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)


January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -3 °C, with a minimum of -6.7 °C and a maximum of 0.7 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -19 °C. However, it dropped to -30 °C in January 2019.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C. However, it reached 18.3 °C in January 2008.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 50 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 17.6 kph.


February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1 °C, with a minimum of -4.8 °C and a maximum of 2.9 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C. However, it dropped to -27.3 °C in February 1996.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C. However, it reached 22.8 °C in February 2000.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 50 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is of 17.5 kph.


March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.6 °C, with a minimum of 0.1 °C and a maximum of 9 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C. However, it dropped to -20 °C in March 2002.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C. However, it reached 30 °C in March 2012.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 60 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is of 17.7 kph.


April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.7 °C, with a minimum of 5.5 °C and a maximum of 15.9 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C. However, it dropped to -6.1 °C in April 2018.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C. However, it reached 32 °C in April 2002.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 95 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is of 18.1 kph.


May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.9 °C, with a minimum of 11.5 °C and a maximum of 22.3 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C. However, it dropped to -0.6 °C in May 2020.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C. However, it reached 36.1 °C in May 2012.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 115 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
Sun iconThere are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is of 16 kph.


June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C, with a minimum of 17.1 °C and a maximum of 27.3 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C. However, it dropped to 3.9 °C in June 2003.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C. However, it reached 37.8 °C in June 2012.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 105 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Sun iconThere are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of 14.3 kph.


July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.8 °C, with a minimum of 20.1 °C and a maximum of 29.5 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C. However, it dropped to 12.8 °C in July 2013.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C. However, it reached 41.1 °C in July 1995.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 95 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
Sun iconThere are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of 13.9 kph.


August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C, with a minimum of 19.4 °C and a maximum of 28.2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C. However, it dropped to 9 °C in August 2009.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C. However, it reached 38.3 °C in August 1991.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 110 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is of 12.9 kph.


September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20 °C, with a minimum of 15.2 °C and a maximum of 24.7 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C. However, it dropped to 1.6 °C in September 1995.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C. However, it reached 35.6 °C in September 2013.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 80 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of 14 kph.


October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C, with a minimum of 8.5 °C and a maximum of 17.8 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C. However, it dropped to -3 °C in October 1996.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C. However, it reached 31.1 °C in October 2005.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 85 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of 15.8 kph.


November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.9 °C, with a minimum of 2 °C and a maximum of 9.8 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C. However, it dropped to -12.8 °C in November 2019.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C. However, it reached 25 °C in November 2016.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 60 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is of 17 kph.


December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of 0 °C, with a minimum of -3.4 °C and a maximum of 3.4 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14.5 °C. However, it dropped to -22 °C in December 2000.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C. However, it reached 21.7 °C in December 2012.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 55 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Sun iconThere are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 16.7 kph.

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