Weather Trends in Chicago, United StatesWeather Trends in Chicago,
United States

Chicago is defined by a distinct continental climate with substantial variance between seasons. WeatherBox data shows that the average temperature variance between winter and summer is 27°C (48.6°F). The colder months bring freezing conditions, with a winter average of -2.0°C (28.4°F) and daily lows dropping to a mean of -6.8°C (19.8°F). Conversely, summers are characterized by warm heat, where the average daily temperature rises to 22.6°C (72.7°F) and daily highs typically peak at 27.5°C (81.5°F).

Atmospheric moisture and precipitation levels fluctuate significantly across the calendar. The heaviest precipitation generally falls in May, averaging 117 mm (5 in), contributing to an annual total of 1,042 mm (41 in). February marks the driest month, with precipitation averaging just 60 mm (2 in). Sky conditions also shift dramatically; extensive cloud cover dominates in January at 79.0, while July provides intense sunshine with an average of 320.3 hours.

Environmental extremes occur periodically, with temperatures rarely falling below -16.0°C (3.2°F) or exceeding 31.5°C (88.7°F). Winds predominantly arrive from the SSW, reaching their highest average speeds in November, though substantial gusts up to 34.2 km/h (21.3 mph) occur in spring. During the height of summer, the average peak UV Index is 7.4, indicating strong solar radiation. Explore our advanced weather charts on WeatherBox to investigate these climate statistics further.