Best time to visit Chicago
A city of great architecture and lakefront summers
- Highest-rated months
- June, July, August, September
- Other good months
- May, October
- Less favorable months
- January, February, March
Editorial seasonal ratings describe conditions for a trip. They are not safety ratings or weather forecasts.
This destination has its own seasonal assessment.
Travel advisory snapshot
Snapshot checked 2026-10-13. Read current official guidance before booking. Seasonal suitability does not override a travel advisory.
Read the official advisoryWeather by month
| Month | Seasonal rating | Daytime high | Nighttime low | Rainfall | Seasonal reasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2027 | 0°C / 32°F | -8.2°C / 17°F | 53 mm | Bitter cold, Strong winds, rough seas, Gray & chilly | |
| February 2027 | 2.3°C / 36°F | -6.3°C / 21°F | 47 mm | Bitter cold, Strong winds, rough seas | |
| March 2027 | 7.6°C / 46°F | -1.4°C / 29°F | 61 mm | Strong winds, rough seas, Cold | |
| April 2027 | 14.6°C / 58°F | 3.5°C / 38°F | 113 mm | Cold | |
| May 2027 | 20.8°C / 69°F | 8.8°C / 48°F | 113 mm | Pleasant weather | |
| June 2027 | 25.8°C / 78°F | 14.1°C / 57°F | 111 mm | Pleasant weather, Festivals | |
| July 2027 | 28.1°C / 83°F | 17°C / 63°F | 91 mm | Festivals, Hot & humid | |
| August 2027 | 27.1°C / 81°F | 16.7°C / 62°F | 106 mm | Festivals, Hot & humid | |
| September 2027 | 23.7°C / 75°F | 12.6°C / 55°F | 81 mm | Pleasant weather | |
| October 2026 | 17°C / 63°F | 6.2°C / 43°F | 79 mm | Pleasant weather | |
| November 2026 | 8.7°C / 48°F | 0.1°C / 32°F | 72 mm | Cold, Gray & chilly, Thanksgiving | |
| December 2026 | 2.1°C / 36°F | -5.4°C / 22°F | 58 mm | Cold, Gray & chilly, Festivals |
Scroll the table horizontally to see every column.
Long-term averages, not a forecast. Temperature and rainfall: 1991–2020; humidity and cloud: 2001–2020; sea temperature: 1991–2020. Climate snapshot prepared 2026-10-04.
Event adjustments refer to the next occurrence of each month as of 2026-10-14; the year is shown in the table.
Local food and lodging costs
National price level: 100, with the United States at 100. Reference year: 2025. This is a relative food and lodging indicator, not a trip budget; flights are excluded.
Keep exploring
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Explore United States by seasonPlanning with this guide
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
The highest seasonal ratings in this assessment are in June, July, August, September. Compare the monthly reasons and climate below before choosing your dates. Editorial seasonal ratings describe conditions for a trip. They are not safety ratings or weather forecasts.
Do good seasonal ratings mean it is safe to travel?
No. Seasonal ratings describe timing, weather and experiences. Check current official travel advisories, entry requirements and local conditions before booking.
Sources and limits
This tool uses stored snapshots and is not updated in real time. Climate averages are not forecasts, and seasonal ratings are not safety assessments. Information may be incomplete or out of date. Before booking, check current official travel advisories, entry requirements, weather forecasts and local conditions.
TerraClimate · NASA POWER · NOAA OISST · Copernicus DEM GLO-90 (2021)
How it works and data sources · Sources and third-party licenses