Historical Weather in Chicago, IL
Chicago's weather is shaped by Lake Michigan and harsh continental air masses, creating one of America's most extreme urban climates. The Windy City experiences dramatic seasonal swings — from sub-zero winter wind chills to sweltering summer heat waves — with temperature records spanning over 150°F between the all-time high and low.
Part of Illinois weather history · Illinois temperature records
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Monthly Climate Averages
Historical temperature and precipitation averages for Chicago, IL, based on 55+ years of weather data.
Temperatures in Fahrenheit. Precipitation and snowfall in inches.
Chicago, IL Temperature Range by Month
Average monthly highs and lows. The shaded band shows the typical daily temperature range.
Chicago, IL Monthly Precipitation
Average rainfall per month, in inches.
Chicago, IL Daily Temperature Calendar
Average daily high temperature for every day of the year. Each cell is the climatological mean for that calendar day across 55 years of NOAA data.
Growing Season & Frost in Chicago, IL
Based on the dates the average overnight low reaches freezing (32°F / 0°C), from 50+ years of NOAA station data.
Hours of Daylight in Chicago, IL
Day length across the year at 41.9°N latitude. Computed from solar geometry.
Best Time to Visit Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL has no months that meet our "pleasant" threshold — every season has tradeoffs.
Chicago Temperature Records
- Record High: The hottest temperature ever recorded in Chicago, IL is 106°F, set on July 13, 1995.
- Record Low: The coldest temperature ever recorded in Chicago, IL is -27°F, set on January 20, 1985.
- Data Coverage: Based on 22 years of data from NOAA weather station: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS.
All-Time Record High
All-Time Record Low
Monthly Temperature Records in Chicago
| Month | Record High | Record Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 67°F(1989) | -27°F(1985) |
| February | 75°F(1976) | -19°F(1996) |
| March | 88°F(1986) | -12°F(2019) |
| April | 91°F(1986) | 7°F(1982) |
| May | 102°F(2018) | 27°F(1983) |
| June | 104°F(1988) | 36°F(1972) |
| July | 106°F(1995) | 43°F(1979) |
| August | 102°F(1991) | 42°F(1986) |
| September | 100°F(2017) | 28°F(1974) |
| October | 92°F(1971) | 17°F(1981) |
| November | 80°F(2020) | 0°F(1976) |
| December | 72°F(2012) | -25°F(1983) |