When to go · Chicago
Chicago, month by month
The best months for Chicago: May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Months to avoid: Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug.
Month by month
- JanuaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold and windy), late Jul–Aug (heat and humidity).1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold and windy), late Jul–Aug (heat and humidity).3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Spring break fills Florida beaches and parks; the desert parks come into season.9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Good month for the Southwest, Washington cherry blossoms, the South; mountain roads still closed.16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayGreatInside Chicago's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGreatInside Chicago's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: High
- JulyAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold and windy), late Jul–Aug (heat and humidity).29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 9 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold and windy), late Jul–Aug (heat and humidity).28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 9 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: High
- SeptemberGreatInside Chicago's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatInside Chicago's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Quiet between holidays; Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period of the year.10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Chicago, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Jun: Great
Daytime high
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Jun: 27 °C (81 °F)81 °F (27 °C)
Night low
May: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Jun: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
Rain days
May: 11
Jun: 10 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Jun: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: High
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jun: 0
May: Inside Chicago's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
June: Inside Chicago's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Chicago: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.