The warmest month of the year.
July in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Chicago.
Typical rainfall for the year.
Long daylight hours.
Usually calmer than most months.
UV runs high compared with most months.
One of the less humid months.
Monthly climate breakdown
A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for July.
Thermal profile
Temperature
Typical daytime high
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Light window
Sunshine
14.9 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 8
- Typical sun hours
- 04:29 - 19:21
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 14 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 50%
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
71%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through July in Chicago. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.
Primary control
Select a day
Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.
Secondary context
Monthly trend
Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.
Day 15 selected for July. Temperature 29.1°C.
Historical disruption baseline
Typical disruptions in July
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in July.
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 31% of days (9.7 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
9.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~31% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~39°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~10 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 29% of days (9.0 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
9.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~29% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~24°C (P95)
Why this matters
Muggy conditions are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 25% of days (7.7 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
7.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~25% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hot days are possible on ~8 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 19% of days (6.0 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
6.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~19% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~35mm (P95)
Why this matters
Rain disruption risk appears on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 15% of days (4.7 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~15% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38mm (P95)
Why this matters
Washout conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 15% of days (4.5 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~15% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~41°C (P95)
Why this matters
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~5 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (24 more)
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~11% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~43mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.8 days/month in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.8 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38mm (P95)
Why this matters
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~64km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~68mm (P95)
Why this matters
Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 14% of days (4.4 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~14% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~41°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heat stress is possible on ~4 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 1.5 days/month in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.5 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~39°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 1.1 days/month in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.1 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~64km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 55% of days (17.1 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
17.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~55% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~23mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~17 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 50% of days (15.4 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
15.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~50% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~24°C (P95)
Why this matters
Humid conditions are possible on ~15 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 39% of days (11.9 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
11.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~39% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~97% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 38% of days (11.9 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
11.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~38% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~15h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~12 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 30% of days (9.3 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
9.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~30% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~57km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~9 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
8.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~26% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~26°C (P95)
Why this matters
Warm nights are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 22% of days (6.7 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
6.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~22% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~16h (P95)
Why this matters
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 21% of days (6.4 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
6.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~21% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~91% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~6 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 17% of days (5.1 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
5.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~17% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~23°C (P95)
Why this matters
Convective risk signal appears on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 15% of days (4.7 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~15% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~4% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Overcast skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 3% of days (1.1 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~28°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hot nights are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Oppressive humidity is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~37°C (P95)
Why this matters
Very hot days are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~98% (P95)
Why this matters
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in July. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~98 (P95)
Why this matters
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
Is July a good time to visit Chicago?
Typical July days in Chicago reach highs of 27°C (81°F) with nights around 20°C (68°F). It usually feels hot by day and mild after dark. Overall, July sits in the middle of the Chicago climate range.
What are temperatures like in July?
In July, you can usually expect highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows near 20°C (68°F). That means hot days and mild nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in July?
Rainfall in July averages 104 mm (4.1 in) across roughly 14 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in July?
You can expect about 15 hours of daylight in July. Sunrise is typically around 04:29 and sunset near 19:21. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in July?
UV levels are often high (around 8). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
Is it windy in July?
In July, average wind speeds are around 13 km/h (8 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 48 km/h (30 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.