Best Time to Visit
🇺🇸 Chicago, United States · North America
Based on 30-year climate data (1991-2020) from Open-Meteo
Jan
-1°
-7°
Fair
Feb
1°
-6°
Good
Mar
5°
-2°
Good
Apr
11°
4°
Great
May
18°
11°
Great
Jun
24°
18°
Great
Jul
27°
21°
Great
Aug
26°
20°
Great
Sep
22°
16°
Great
Oct
16°
10°
Great
Nov
8°
3°
Good
Dec
2°
-3°
Poor
| Month | High | Low | Rain Days | Sunshine | Humidity | UV | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C | -7°C | 9 | 6h | 65% | 1 | Fair | View |
| February | 1°C | -6°C | 7 | 7h | 65% | 1 | Good | View |
| March | 5°C | -2°C | 10 | 8h | 65% | 6 | Good | View |
| AprilRecommended | 11°C | 4°C | 12 | 9h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| MayRecommended | 18°C | 11°C | 13 | 11h | 65% | 9 | Great | View |
| JuneRecommended | 24°C | 18°C | 12 | 12h | 65% | 9 | Great | View |
| JulyRecommended | 27°C | 21°C | 11 | 12h | 65% | 9 | Great | View |
| AugustRecommended | 26°C | 20°C | 11 | 12h | 65% | 9 | Great | View |
| SeptemberRecommended | 22°C | 16°C | 9 | 10h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| OctoberRecommended | 16°C | 10°C | 9 | 8h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| November | 8°C | 3°C | 9 | 6h | 65% | 1 | Good | View |
| December | 2°C | -3°C | 9 | 5h | 65% | 1 | Poor | View |
Data source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis archive, 30-year historical normals (1991-2020). Temperatures in Celsius. Sunshine hours are daily averages.
Avg: 11°C high, 4°C low
Cool to cold at 11°C (52°F), warm clothing essential. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 4°C (39°F).
Avg: 26°C high, 20°C low
Comfortable warmth at 26°C (79°F), ideal for outdoor activities. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 20°C (68°F).
Avg: 15°C high, 10°C low
Mild conditions at 15°C (59°F), layers recommended. Occasional showers possible. Nights cool to 10°C (50°F).
Avg: 1°C high, -5°C low
Cool to cold at 1°C (34°F), warm clothing essential. Occasional showers possible. Nights cool to -5°C (23°F).
The least favorable time to visit Chicago is December and January. During this period, you can expect freezing temperatures.
December
Challenges: freezing temperatures
January
Challenges: freezing temperatures
Note: visiting during off-peak months often means lower prices, fewer crowds, and a more authentic experience.
Packing recommendations for visiting Chicago during the best travel months (June, July, August), when temperatures range from 20°C to 26°C:
Chicago has a continental climate (Koppen classification: Dfb). The warmest month is July with highs of 27°C, while the coldest month is January at just -1°C. Annual rainfall averages 963mm across approximately 121 rain days.
| Metric | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 2 |
| Low °C | -7 | -6 | -2 | 4 | 11 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 3 | -3 |
| Rain Days | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Rain mm | 58 | 52 | 66 | 104 | 108 | 97 | 93 | 95 | 78 | 85 | 68 | 59 |
| Sun h/day | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Humidity % | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| UV Index | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Considering alternatives to Chicago? Compare the best travel months for nearby cities:
For a complete day-by-day weather breakdown including packing lists, activities, and local events, explore each month individually:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Explore weather guides for other popular destinations: