Temperature range
Typical highs and lows
High27.4°C
Low-7.5°C
The broad yearly range between warm daytime highs and the coolest overnight lows.
United States Chicago, United States
Chicago has a cold climate with average temperatures ranging from -1°C / 31°F in January to 27°C / 81°F in July.
Rainfall averages about 85 mm / 3.3 inches per month, with the wettest conditions in May (117 mm / 4.6 inches) and the driest in February (57 mm / 2.2 inches).
Sun intensity varies throughout the year, with UV levels reaching 8 in June and falling to 2 in December; strong sun protection is essential during summer months.
The longest days occur in June with around 15.2 hours of daylight, while December has the shortest days at about 9.2 hours.
Trip planning
Plan your trip
Find the best dates. Understand the conditions. Pack with confidence.
Climate overview
Climate at a glance
The big-picture stats that matter for planning your visit to Chicago.
Rain pattern
Wettest point of the year
117 mm
May carries the highest typical rainfall load.
Sun exposure
Typical peak UV band
Moderate (5.6)
A fast read on how strong midday sun typically gets across the year.
Daylight window
Seasonal daylight range
9 hrsto15 hrs
Useful for gauging how much sightseeing time you get in shorter versus longer seasons.
Wind profile
Typical breeze strength
16 km/h
November is typically the breeziest month.
Humidity
Typical moisture range
70 %to75 %
A quick signal for how dry, comfortable, or heavy the air tends to feel.
When should I go?
Our top-rated months for visiting Chicago, based on long-term weather comfort and conditions
Typical weather by month
Compare all monthsTip: click on a card to see detailed daily weather averages for that month.
How Chicago compares
See how it ranks against the rest of United States for key metrics.
HOTTEST (AVG)
in United States
#19 / 20
COOLEST (AVG)
in United States
#4 / 20
WETTEST (TOTAL)
in United States
#11 / 20
WINDIEST (AVG)
in United States
#2 / 20
HIGHEST UV
in United States
#18 / 20
MOST HUMID
in United States
#11 / 20
Short term outlook
Visiting soon? Here's the next 7 days of weather for Chicago, or see an hourly breakdown for the next 14 days.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
How does the weather in Chicago feel over the year?
Across the year, daytime highs average about 14°C (57°F), with nights near 7°C (45°F). Overall it feels cool by day and cold after dark. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing. Expect a mix of sun and cloud across the year.
When is the best time to visit Chicago for dry weather?
When is sun exposure strongest in Chicago?
UV tends to peak in June, when UV levels are often high (around 8). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
Does it snow in Chicago?
Yes. Snowfall is possible, and it peaks in January, when averages reach around 0.6 cm. Winters are when you're most likely to see snow on the ground.
Is Chicago a windy place?
Across the year, average winds sit around 16 km/h (10 mph), with gusts on windier days up to about 64 km/h (40 mph). Overall it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.
How much daylight does Chicago get?
On average, days offer about 12 hours of daylight. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.