# Climate Insights for Chicago

*Source: [Airpult](https://airpult.com/climate/us/chicago/6411124417): Platte County, Illinois, United States*

The climate in Chicago is temperate. The average annual temperature is 11°C and approximately 1082mm of precipitation falls per year. Chicago receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Chicago is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -5°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 92cm accumulating over the season.

## Key insights

- **Hottest month:** July (peak 28°C)
- **Coldest month:** January (low -5°C)
- **Wettest month:** May (123 mm)
- **Best time to visit:** August, September

## Monthly climate data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Chicago based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.

| Month | Avg low (°C) | Avg high (°C) | Mean (°C) | Precip (mm) | Wind (km/h) | Snow (cm) |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Jan | -5 | 1 | -3 | 69 | 17 | 29 |
| Feb | -4 | 3 | -1 | 61 | 17 | 22 |
| Mar | 1 | 9 | 4 | 100 | 16 | 10 |
| Apr | 5 | 14 | 9 | 117 | 16 | 7 |
| May | 11 | 20 | 15 | 123 | 14 | 0 |
| Jun | 17 | 26 | 21 | 116 | 13 | 0 |
| Jul | 20 | 28 | 23 | 102 | 11 | 0 |
| Aug | 19 | 27 | 23 | 86 | 11 | 0 |
| Sep (current) | 16 | 24 | 20 | 70 | 13 | 0 |
| Oct | 10 | 18 | 13 | 111 | 16 | 1 |
| Nov | 3 | 10 | 6 | 61 | 17 | 9 |
| Dec | -2 | 4 | 0 | 66 | 16 | 12 |

## Temperature

Temperatures in Chicago vary considerably across the year, with a 33°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 23°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -5°C and the daily average is -3°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.

## Precipitation

Chicago is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1082mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 90mm per month. The wettest month is May, averaging 123mm of rainfall. April and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 61mm. That's 61mm less than May, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 92cm accumulating over the season. January typically sees the most snow at around 29cm.

## Wind

Chicago is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 17km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 11km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 6km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 17km/h in winter, 15km/h in spring, 11km/h in summer, 15km/h in autumn.

## Seasons

Currently it is **summer** (astronomical) / **fall** (meteorological) in Chicago.
Autumn begins September 23, 2026 (7 days from now).

| Season | Begins |
| --- | --- |
| Spring | March 20 |
| Summer | June 21 |
| Autumn | September 23 |
| Winter | December 21 |

It is currently summer in Chicago, which began on June 21, 2026. Chicago is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -5°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (7 days from now).

### Spring

Temperatures range from 1 to 20°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 340mm across the season with a monthly average of 113mm. Winds are moderate at around 15km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.

### Summer

Temperatures range from 17 to 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 304mm across the season with a monthly average of 101mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 11km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal. Perfect conditions for outdoor activities.

### Autumn

Temperatures range from 3 to 24°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 243mm for the season, averaging 81mm per month. Expect around 11cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are moderate at around 15km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.

### Winter

Temperatures range from -5 to 4°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 196mm for the season, averaging 65mm per month. Expect around 63cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are moderate at around 17km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.

## Best time to visit

Recommended months: August, September.

The best time to visit Chicago is during August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 78mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 28°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -5°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.