When to go · Chicago

Chicago in October

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

Key facts

Verdict: Great
Temperature: 18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) / 8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C); average high / low
Rain days: 9
Crowds: Medium; United States overall
Prices: Medium; United States overall

Plan around it

Verdict

GreatBest and avoid months for Chicago

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

No other month rates higher than October for Chicago in this guide.

Long-term averages

ChicagoHighs around 18 °C (64 °F), lows around 8 °C (46 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 64 °F (18 °C), lows around 46 °F (8 °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: Best all-round month: New England foliage, desert parks, cooler cities. High roads start closing late in the month.

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

First month

Second month

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

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

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