Chicago · WinterMonth summary
Chicago weather in January
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
23°F – 34°F
🌧 Rainy days
31% of days
☀️ Sunshine
5.6h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.0/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (8.2/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Chicago in January?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: January brings a challenging climate (4.0/10). July offers milder conditions if your dates are flexible.
By trip type
Chicago in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : — No sea access
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in January
Winter in Chicago is cool (1°F during the day). Days are short (5.6h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 31% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | 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
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Chicago averages 34°F, 31% rainy days and 5.6h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.0/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 8.2/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +26°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : +9%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +7.7h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Chicago in January
Is January a good time to visit Chicago?
January is not recommended for Chicago (score 4.0/10). With 31% rainy days and 5.6h of sunshine, consider July (8.2/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Chicago in January?
It's cool with 34°F daytime and 23°F at night. 5.6h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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