The month in detail
What to expect in December
Winter in Chicago is cool (3°C during the day). Days are short (3.4h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain risk remains low (21% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
December ranks 12 out of 12 months in Chicago. Compared to November: −6°C daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
-4°
Daylight
9.0h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 24
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Chicago is July (8.7/10), 7.6 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Chicago
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Chicago
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · USA
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 27°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 1°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 32%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Chicago ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
USATemperate climate with a 8.7 → 1.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
41.88°N · 87.63°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Chicago?
July is the best month with 27.0°C highs, 19.0°C lows, 10.3h of sunshine and 31.0% rainy days. The months of July & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Chicago get in July?
Chicago averages 10.3 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Chicago?
December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Chicago in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 19.0°C, while afternoon highs average 27.0°C.
Is Chicago good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Chicago scores 3.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 8.2/10.
When should you avoid Chicago?
December is the most difficult month to visit Chicago, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Chicago in December?
The average UV index reaches 2 in December in Chicago (low), with about 9.0h of daylight. No protection needed.