When is the best time to go to Chicago
The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Chicago, United States. These are based on an analysis of weather averages such as temperature, rainfall and number of hours of sunshine. These ratings are based solely on the climate and do not take into account other factors such as accommodation prices and how busy it is likely to be.
Average temperatures in Chicago
Chicago weather by month
Please note our recommendations for when to visit Chicago are based solely on the weather and do not take into accounts accommodation prices, how busy it will be and what events are on.
January
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| -1°C | 44mm | 4.8hrs | 10.6hrs |
The climate in Chicago during January can be summarized as cold and reasonably dry.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Chicago for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
January is in the winter in Chicago and is typically the coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a freezing -1°C (30°F), whilst at night -10°C (14°F) is normal.
On average January is the driest month of the year in Chicago with around 44mm 1.7 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 4.8 hours of sunshine per day.
February
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1°C | 38mm | 5.4hrs | 11.6hrs |
February in Chicago is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being cold.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Chicago for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
February is in the winter in Chicago and is typically the 2nd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a freezing 1°C (34°F), whilst at night -8°C (18°F) is normal.
On average February is the 2nd driest month of the year in Chicago with around 38mm 1.5 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 10 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.4 hours of sunshine per day.
March
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7°C | 68mm | 6.5hrs | 12.8hrs |
The weather in March in Chicago is characteristically cool and reasonably dry.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Chicago for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
March is in the spring in Chicago and is typically the 3rd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 8°C (46°F), whilst at night -2°C (28°F) is normal.
On average March is the 3rd driest month of the year in Chicago with around 68mm 2.7 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 13 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.5 hours of sunshine per day.
April
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13°C | 96mm | 7.8hrs | 14.3hrs |
Chicago's weather in April is typically cool and a little damp in nature.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Chicago for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
April is in the spring in Chicago and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 15°C (58°F), whilst at night 3°C (38°F) is normal.
On average April is the 4th driest month of the year in Chicago with around 96mm 3.8 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 13 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 7.8 hours of sunshine per day.
May
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19°C | 84mm | 9.7hrs | 15.5hrs |
May is a a little damp month in Chicago and the temperature is generally mild.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Chicago, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.
May is in the spring in Chicago and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 21°C (70°F), whilst at night 9°C (48°F) is normal.
On average May is the 5th driest month of the year in Chicago with around 84mm 3.3 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 9.7 hours of sunshine per day.
June
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24°C | 96mm | 11.1hrs | 10.6hrs |
June is a a little damp month in Chicago and the temperature is generally warm.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Chicago, with some particularly good weather at this time of year.
June is in the summer in Chicago and is typically the 6th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a comfortable 27°C (80°F), whilst at night 14°C (58°F) is normal.
On average June is the 6th driest month of the year in Chicago with around 96mm 3.8 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 10 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 11.1 hours of sunshine per day.
July
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26°C | 100mm | 11hrs | 11.6hrs |
July in Chicago is generally damp with the temperature being warm.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Chicago, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.
July is in the summer in Chicago and is typically the 6th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a comfortable 29°C (84°F), whilst at night 17°C (63°F) is normal.
On average July is the 6th wettest month of the year in Chicago with around 100mm 3.9 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 10 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day.
August
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25°C | 97mm | 9.9hrs | 12.8hrs |
The weather in August in Chicago is characteristically warm, humid and a little damp.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Chicago, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.
August is in the summer in Chicago and is typically the 5th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a muggy 28°C (82°F), whilst at night 17°C (62°F) is normal.
On average August is the 5th wettest month of the year in Chicago with around 97mm 3.8 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 9 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 9.9 hours of sunshine per day.
September
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21°C | 87mm | 8.2hrs | 14.3hrs |
Chicago's weather in September is typically warm and a little damp in nature.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Chicago, with some very good weather at this time of year.
September is in the fall / autumn in Chicago and is typically the 4th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 24°C (75°F), whilst at night 12°C (54°F) is normal.
On average September is the 4th wettest month of the year in Chicago with around 87mm 3.4 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 9 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 8.2 hours of sunshine per day.
Chicago weather in September »
October
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15°C | 68mm | 6.7hrs | 15.5hrs |
October is a reasonably dry month in Chicago and the temperature is generally mild.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of reasonably acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Chicago.
October is in the fall / autumn in Chicago and is typically the 3rd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 17°C (63°F), whilst at night 6°C (43°F) is normal.
On average October is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Chicago with around 68mm 2.7 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 9 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.7 hours of sunshine per day.
November
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8°C | 72mm | 4.2hrs | 10.6hrs |
November is a reasonably dry month in Chicago and the temperature is generally cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Chicago for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
November is in the fall / autumn in Chicago and is typically the 2nd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 9°C (48°F), whilst at night 0°C (32°F) is normal.
On average November is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Chicago with around 72mm 2.8 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 4.2 hours of sunshine per day.
December
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2°C | 62mm | 3.8hrs | 11.6hrs |
December in Chicago is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being cold.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Chicago for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
December is in the winter in Chicago and is typically the warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a freezing 2°C (35°F), whilst at night -7°C (20°F) is normal.
On average December is the wettest month of the year in Chicago with around 62mm 2.4 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 3.8 hours of sunshine per day.
Other monthly averages
Chicago weather stats
| Hottest month: | July | 28.3°C 82.9°F |
|---|---|---|
| Driest month: | February | 38mm 1.5ins |
| Sunniest month: | July | 11hrs |
| Coldest month: | January | -1.4°C 29.5°F |
| Wettest month: | July | 100mm 3.9ins |
| Warmest sea: | August | 21.8°C 71.2°F |
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