Quick decision
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
By trip type
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.
Monthly climate data
Chicago weather month by month
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rainy days (%) | Precip. in/d | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌨️ January | 23°F | 34°F | 31% | 0.1in | 5.6h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌨️ February | 23°F | 36°F | 30% | 0.1in | 8.3h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ March | 32°F | 45°F | 40% | 0.1in | 9.4h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ April | 39°F | 54°F | 46% | 0.1in | 9.9h | 4.9/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 48°F | 64°F | 39% | 0.2in | 11.8h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 61°F | 77°F | 37% | 0.1in | 13.3h | 8.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 66°F | 81°F | 40% | 0.2in | 13.3h | 8.2/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 66°F | 79°F | 38% | 0.1in | 12.7h | 8.1/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 61°F | 73°F | 32% | 0.1in | 11.3h | 7.8/10 |
| ⛅ October | 48°F | 63°F | 38% | 0.2in | 9.3h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌫️ November | 36°F | 48°F | 26% | 0.1in | 7.2h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌨️ December | 27°F | 37°F | 28% | 0.1in | 5.8h | 4.0/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years
Seasonal breakdown
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.
Accommodation
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.comActivities & tours
Activities and tours in Chicago
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide
Flights
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Compare flights from all airlines.
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Monthly weather
Detailed weather by month
FAQ
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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