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Best time to visit · Illinois, United States
July – September are the best time to visit Chicago on the climate data: September scores 85/100, with highs around 71°F (22°C) and 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain. May & June and October are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
These averages also cover Lincoln Park and The Loop & Chicago River.
Highs run from 32°F to 77°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 38.7 in (982 mm) of rain and snow.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 32°F0°C | 33°F0°C | 41°F5°C | 50°F10°C | 59°F15°C | 70°F21°C | 77°F25°C | 77°F25°C | 71°F22°C | 59°F15°C | 47°F9°C | 37°F3°C |
| Avg low | 23°F-5°C | 23°F-5°C | 31°F-1°C | 39°F4°C | 47°F9°C | 59°F15°C | 68°F20°C | 68°F20°C | 62°F16°C | 49°F10°C | 38°F4°C | 29°F-2°C |
| Rain/snow | 1.9 in48 mm | 2.1 in54 mm | 2.4 in62 mm | 3.7 in95 mm | 4.6 in117 mm | 4.0 in102 mm | 3.7 in95 mm | 4.1 in105 mm | 3.4 in86 mm | 3.9 in99 mm | 2.4 in61 mm | 2.3 in58 mm |
| Humidity | 86% | 84% | 82% | 81% | 83% | 81% | 78% | 77% | 76% | 77% | 80% | 85% |
| Cloud | 71% | 70% | 66% | 63% | 64% | 56% | 48% | 48% | 46% | 58% | 63% | 73% |
| Comfort | 45 | 45 | 46 | 59 | 71 | 76 | 81 | 81 | 85 | 75 | 58 | 44 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 181 m (594 ft), close to Chicago's own ~181 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
The cold peaks here: highs of 32–37°F (0–3°C), and nights reach 23°F (-5°C). It's the driest season, with only about 6.3 in (160 mm) of rain or snow, 16% of the year's total. January & February are cold enough for snow. It holds the toughest stretch on our comfort score (December – February), averaging 45/100.
Temperatures climb through the season, from 41°F highs in March to 59°F by May. About 10.8 in (274 mm) of rain falls across these months, 28% of the year's total. Nights dip below freezing in March. May score well without being the very best (season average 59/100).
Peak warmth: highs of 70–77°F (21–25°C). It's the wettest season, with about 11.9 in (302 mm) of rain, 31% of the year's total. July & August feel humid, with humidity near 78%. July & August are among the best-scoring months (season average 79/100).
Temperatures slide from 71°F highs in September to 47°F by November. About 9.7 in (246 mm) of rain falls across these months, 25% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 38°F (4°C). Comfort peaks here: September ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 73/100.
By comfort score: 5 Great, 1 Good, 5 Fair and 1 Tough. Great months: June – October. Tap a month for its own guide.
July – September are the best time to visit Chicago on the climate data: September scores 85/100, with highs around 71°F (22°C) and 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain. May & June and October are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
May is the wettest month, averaging about 4.6 in (117 mm) of rain. January is the driest, with about 1.9 in (48 mm). The yearly total is around 38.7 in (982 mm).
February is the coldest, with average lows of 23°F (-5°C) and highs of 33°F (0°C). The warmest is July, with average highs of 77°F (25°C).
Yes: in July & August humidity averages 78% with warm temperatures, so it feels muggy. Summer highs peak around 77°F (25°C).
On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in December – March, bottoming out around 23°F (-5°C) in February.
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