When to go · Chicago

Chicago in August

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold and windy), late Jul–Aug (heat and humidity).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C) / 19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C); average high / low
Rain days: 9
Crowds: High; United States overall
Prices: High; United States overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Chicago

Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold and windy), late Jul–Aug (heat and humidity).

August is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

ChicagoHighs around 28 °C (82 °F), lows around 19 °C (66 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 82 °F (28 °C), lows around 66 °F (19 °C), rain on about 9 days
Midwest and Great Lakes, United States · Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolisbest weather
Hard winters (−15 °C (5 °F) cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.Hard winters (5 °F (−15 °C) cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.

United States overall: Hot and busy; wildfire smoke in the West, hurricane peak begins in the Southeast.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Chicago, side by side.

First month

Second month

August: Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold and windy), late Jul–Aug (heat and humidity).

May: Inside Chicago's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Chicago: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.