Best time to visit Chicago: month-by-month weather (2026)
The highest-scoring months in Chicago are May, Jun, Aug and Sep.
Best months
May, Jun, Aug and Sep
Peak season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
Off season
Jan, Mar and Dec
Monthly Temperatures (°C)
Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Month-by-Month Guide
Temperature, rainfall and sunshine are measured. The visit score below is derived from those three (design spec §5.3)estimate.
Jan
Temp: -6.2°C – 0.1°C
Rain: 78mm
Sunshine: 4.9h/day
Visit score: 3.3/10
Feb
Temp: -4.1°C – 4.4°C
Rain: 44mm
Sunshine: 7.8h/day
Visit score: 4/10
Mar
Temp: 0.6°C – 9.1°C
Rain: 99mm
Sunshine: 8.2h/day
Visit score: 3.2/10
Apr
Temp: 5.3°C – 14.6°C
Rain: 82mm
Sunshine: 9h/day
Visit score: 4.7/10
May
BestTemp: 10.1°C – 19.2°C
Rain: 72mm
Sunshine: 10.9h/day
Visit score: 7.6/10
Jun
BestTemp: 16.9°C – 26.2°C
Rain: 86mm
Sunshine: 11.9h/day
Visit score: 8.2/10
Jul
Temp: 19.4°C – 27.3°C
Rain: 194mm
Sunshine: 11.6h/day
Visit score: 7.3/10
Aug
BestTemp: 18.8°C – 26.4°C
Rain: 75mm
Sunshine: 11.8h/day
Visit score: 9.1/10
Sep
BestTemp: 16.1°C – 23.9°C
Rain: 92mm
Sunshine: 9.9h/day
Visit score: 8.2/10
Oct
Temp: 10°C – 17.9°C
Rain: 79mm
Sunshine: 8.4h/day
Visit score: 5.6/10
Nov
Temp: 3.1°C – 9.8°C
Rain: 68mm
Sunshine: 6h/day
Visit score: 3.5/10
Dec
Temp: -3°C – 3.3°C
Rain: 68mm
Sunshine: 4.2h/day
Visit score: 3.1/10
When to go, and when not to
The strongest months to visit are May, June, August, and September, when visit scores peak alongside warmer weather. June brings highs of 26.2C and nearly 12 hours of sunshine a day, while August offers highs of 26.4C with the highest visit score of the year at 9.1, supported by strong sunshine and moderate rainfall of 75mm.
The trade-off is that these strong months sit within the wider peak season of May through September, when the city is at its busiest. July stands out as the wettest month, with 194mm of rain despite still being part of the peak season, so travelers seeking sunshine without the heaviest rain may prefer June or August over July.
Season Guide
Spring
March – May
Mild temperatures and blooming gardens. A great time for sightseeing with fewer crowds than summer.
Packing tips
- · Light layers
- · Rain jacket
- · Comfortable walking shoes
Summer
June – August
Warmest months with the longest days. Peak tourist season in most destinations.
Packing tips
- · Sunscreen
- · Hat
- · Light clothing
- · Refillable water bottle
Autumn
September – November
Cooling temperatures and autumn foliage. Shoulder season with good deals on accommodations.
Packing tips
- · Medium layers
- · Sweater
- · Waterproof jacket
Winter
December – February
Coldest months with shorter days. Holiday markets and winter activities in many cities.
Packing tips
- · Warm coat
- · Scarf and gloves
- · Thermal layers
- · Waterproof boots
Keep reading
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.