US Chicago, USA

Chicago
Which Season to Choose?

Chicago, architecture and jazz on Lake Michigan — deep-dish pizza, museums and an iconic skyline.

Updated: March 2026 · Open-Meteo · 10 years · 12 months compared · 41.88°N 87.63°W
JulyBest month
81°FOptimal temperature
40%Rainy days

When to visit Chicago?

🌞 Best time overall
July
🌡️ Optimal temperature
66°F–81°F in July
🌧 Least rain
40% rainy days in July
🌧 Wettest month
January (31%)
📅 Best score
8.2/10

Best time by type of trip

🏗️ArchitectureApril–October — river architecture cruise, Frank Lloyd Wright.
🍕Deep-Dish PizzaYear-round — Lou Malnati's, Giordano's and Pequod's.
🎵Blues & JazzYear-round — Kingston Mines, Buddy Guy's Legends and clubs.
🎨Art InstituteYear-round — one of the world's finest art museums.
👨‍👩‍👧FamilyJune–August — Millennium Park, Navy Pier and Shedd Aquarium.

Chicago weather month by month

MonthMin °FMax °FRainy days (%)Precip. in/dSun h/dScore
🌨️ January23°F34°F31%0.1in5.6h4.0/10
🌨️ February23°F36°F30%0.1in8.3h4.2/10
🌦️ March32°F45°F40%0.1in9.4h4.2/10
🌦️ April39°F54°F46%0.1in9.9h4.9/10
🌤️ May48°F64°F39%0.2in11.8h7.1/10
🌤️ June61°F77°F37%0.1in13.3h8.1/10
🌤️ July66°F81°F40%0.2in13.3h8.2/10
🌤️ August66°F79°F38%0.1in12.7h8.1/10
🌤️ September61°F73°F32%0.1in11.3h7.8/10
⛅ October48°F63°F38%0.2in9.3h7.0/10
🌫️ November36°F48°F26%0.1in7.2h4.7/10
🌨️ December27°F37°F28%0.1in5.8h4.0/10
Ideal Fair Challenging climate Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years

What to expect each season

🌸 Spring (Mar–May) — Challenging climate

Average 12°F, 42% rainy days, 10.4h sunshine/day. Score: 5.4/10.

☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Good time

Average 26°F, 38% rainy days, 13.1h sunshine/day. Score: 8.1/10.

🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Acceptable

Average 16°F, 32% rainy days, 9.3h sunshine/day. Score: 6.5/10.

❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Challenging climate

Average 2°F, 30% rainy days, 6.6h sunshine/day. Score: 4.1/10.

Find a place to stay in Chicago

Check availability during the recommended period

Tip : off-peak months (January, February) are cheapest but weather is significantly worse.

Search on Hotels.com

Activities and tours in Chicago

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences. Browse activities on GetYourGuide

Find a flight to Chicago

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Detailed weather by month

Frequently asked questions

July is ideal with 40% rainy days and 27°F.
January is the wettest month with 31% rainy days.
Yes, July is the best month with an average of 27°F.
In winter, the average score is 4.1/10. Difficult period — prefer the peak season.

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