Chicago weather
World cities · United States · 41.88°N 87.63°W
Chicago, in United States, has its warmest weather in July, when daytime temperatures average 27.1°C, while February nights are the coldest at around -6.2°C. The city sees roughly 1126mm of rain a year; July is normally the wettest month and November the driest. Figures are averaged from 2020–2024 observations.
Climate averages
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0.7° | -5.9° | 75mm | 11 |
| Feb | 2.5° | -6.2° | 55mm | 9 |
| Mar | 8.7° | 0.2° | 95mm | 12 |
| Apr | 13.5° | 4.4° | 96mm | 15 |
| May | 19.3° | 10.4° | 107mm | 11 |
| Jun | 26.2° | 16.9° | 98mm | 10 |
| Jul | 27.1° | 19.2° | 173mm | 12 |
| Aug | 27.1° | 19.1° | 103mm | 11 |
| Sep | 23.8° | 15.8° | 98mm | 8 |
| Oct | 17° | 9° | 115mm | 12 |
| Nov | 10.1° | 2.5° | 49mm | 7 |
| Dec | 4.4° | -2.2° | 62mm | 9 |
Seasons in Chicago
Spring (March–May). Daytime highs in Chicago climb from 8.7°C in March to 19.3°C by May, while nights ease from 0.2°C to 10.4°C. The season brings around 298mm of rain in total.
Summer (June–August). The warmest stretch of the year: afternoons average 26.8°C, peaking in July at 27.1°C. June is usually the driest of the summer months (98mm over ~10 rainy days). Around the June solstice, Chicago gets roughly 15.0 hours of daylight.
Autumn (September–November). Daytime temperatures fall from 23.8°C in September to 10.1°C by November, with around 262mm of rain across the season.
Winter (December–February). Nights average -4.8°C, with February the coldest month (average low -6.2°C, daytime high 2.5°C). Expect about 29 days with measurable rain over the three months, and only around 9.0 hours of daylight in mid-December.
How Chicago compares
| Chicago | UK town average | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual rainfall | 1126mm | 1054mm |
| Rainy days per year | 127 | 167 |
| Summer daytime high | 26.8°C | 19.7°C |
| Winter night low | -4.8°C | 3.4°C |
Chicago is about 7% wetter than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm), based on 2020–2024 monthly normals.
Chicago weather FAQs
What is the warmest month in Chicago?
July is typically the warmest month in Chicago, with average daytime highs of 27.1°C. Summer afternoons (June–August) average around 26.8°C.
What is the wettest month in Chicago?
July is usually the wettest month, with around 173mm of rain over roughly 12 rainy days. November is typically the driest (49mm).
How much does it rain in Chicago per year?
Chicago receives roughly 1126mm of precipitation per year, spread over about 127 days with at least 1mm of rain (based on 2020–2024 observations).
How cold are winters in Chicago?
Winter nights (December–February) in Chicago average around -4.8°C, with February typically the coldest month (average low -6.2°C).
When is the best time to visit Chicago for good weather?
Late spring and summer offer the most reliable weather in Chicago. June is typically the driest of the warm months (98mm of rain), while July is the warmest, averaging 27.1°C by day — and near the June solstice there are around 15 hours of daylight to enjoy.
How does Chicago's weather compare with the UK?
Chicago receives 1126mm of rain a year, about 7% wetter than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm). Summer daytime highs average 26.8°C against a UK-town average of 19.7°C, and winter nights average -4.8°C versus 3.4°C.