When does it freeze in Chicago?

Chicago's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.

What is the rainy season in Chicago?

May receives the most rainfall with about 4.1 inches on average; the city gets roughly 34 inches annually.

What is the warmest month in Chicago?

July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 76°F.

What is the coldest month in Chicago?

January typically brings the coldest weather, averaging about 26°F.

When can I start a vegetable garden in Chicago?

Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.

How many rainy days does Chicago get?

Chicago experiences about 68 rainy days per year on average.

What hardiness zone is Chicago?

Chicago's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.

Weather in Chicago, Illinois

Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Chicago, IL

Sunday, May 17 at 3:52 AM

Overcast

Feels like

69°

Humidity

73%

Wind

5 mph

Sunrise

5:29 AM

Sunset

8:04 PM

Chicago, IL

Hour by hour · 24h

53°

10p

51°

11p

51°

12a

51°

50°

52°

15%

50°

14%

50°

51°

54°

10%

57°

58°

59°

10a

61°

11a

64°

12p

67°

69°

72°

73°

75°

72°

69°

67°

Chicago, IL

7-day forecast

Today
May 16
Rain
49%
83°62°
Sunday
May 17
Overcast
15%
88°63°
Monday
May 18
Drizzle
61%
82°70°
Tuesday
May 19
Heavy Drizzle
66%
75°58°
Wednesday
May 20
Overcast
22%
56°47°
Thursday
May 21
Overcast
—
58°47°
Friday
May 22
Overcast
10%
55°51°

Chicago, IL

Next 24 hours · Cool now

Chicago, IL

Anemometer · 24h winds · from true

From · True

SSW

195° · backing 39°

Direction

SSW

195°

Sustained

mph

Gust

mph

Peak 24h

avg 8

Beaufort · 2 · LIGHT BRZ

CALM

LIGHT AIR

1–3

LIGHT BRZ

4–7

GENTLE BRZ

8–12

MOD BRZ

13–18

FRESH BRZ

19–24

STRONG BRZ

25–31

NEAR GALE

32–38

24h · sust vs gust · mph

avg 8 · pk 29 @ 7:00a

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Chicago, IL

Barometer · 24h pressure · mb

Pressure · mb

990.7

+0.4 mb in 3h · steady · 29.26 inHg

Now

990.7

+0.4

12h

+0.9

24h

+3.5

Regime · STORM

STORM

RAIN

CHANGE

FAIR

DRY

24h · Pressure · mb

range 985–991

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Chicago, IL

Air quality

100

AQI

Moderate

PM 2.5: 7.5 μg/m³
PM 10: 8.5 μg/m³
NO₂: 17.4 μg/m³
Ozone: 88.0 μg/m³
UV Index: 0.0 Low

Chicago, IL

Almanac · Sunday, May 17

When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.

Civil dawn

9:59 AM

Sunrise

5:29 AM

Daylight

14h 35m

Sunset

8:04 PM

Civil dusk

1:37 AM

Planting note

Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.

Chicago, IL

The moon

New Moon

0% illuminated

Moonrise: 10:33 AM
Moonset: 1:36 AM
In sign: ♊︎ Gemini

Chicago, IL

Microseason · 28 of 72

May 16–20

Roses open along the stoops

plant

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Chicago at a glance

Today vs. normal: 68°F — typical for the season
Last frost: April 27 (climatological average for this latitude)
Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.

Right now in the garden

Warm-season window is open

As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.

Planting calendar

Month	Plant	Harvest
January	—	—
February	—	—
March	—	—
April	lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes	—
May	lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	lettuce, peas, radishes
June	tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	lettuce, peas, radishes
July	tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	tomatoes, beans, summer squash
August	—	tomatoes, beans, summer squash
September	fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots	tomatoes, beans, summer squash
October	fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots	winter squash, tomatoes (last)
November	—	—
December	—	—

A year in weather

July brings Chicago's warmest temperatures (~76°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~26°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in May (4.1 inches) and drops to its lowest point in February (1.5 inches).

Month	Mean temp	Precip	Rainy days
January	26°	1.5″	3
February	30°	1.5″	3
March	40°	1.9″	5
April	51°	3.6″	7
May	62°	4.1″	8
June	72°	4.0″	8
July	76°	3.5″	6
August	75°	4.0″	6
September	68°	2.8″	5
October	55°	3.5″	6
November	42°	2.4″	5
December	31°	1.8″	4

Regional context

Chicago belongs to a warm-summer humid continental climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this zone.

Similar climates: Rockford, IL, Round Lake Beach, IL, Aurora, IL, Naperville, IL, Joliet, IL.

Naturalist notes

Late May brings the peak migration of warblers through Chicago's parks and lakefront areas.

Oak trees typically begin leafing out in early May as soil temperatures warm consistently above 45°F.

Frequently asked

When does it freeze in Chicago?: Chicago's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
What is the rainy season in Chicago?: May receives the most rainfall with about 4.1 inches on average; the city gets roughly 34 inches annually.
What is the warmest month in Chicago?: July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 76°F.
What is the coldest month in Chicago?: January typically brings the coldest weather, averaging about 26°F.
When can I start a vegetable garden in Chicago?: Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
How many rainy days does Chicago get?: Chicago experiences about 68 rainy days per year on average.
What hardiness zone is Chicago?: Chicago's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.

Climate

Chicago, Illinois experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January temperatures hover near 26°F while July averages 76°F — a 50°F seasonal swing.

Throughout the year, Chicago receives about 34 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 68 rainy days.

Geography shapes Chicago's weather patterns through its latitude (41.8°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — factors that determine what grows here, when frost is likely, and daily weather conditions.

Roses open along the stoops

Chicago at a glance

Right now in the garden

Planting calendar

A year in weather

Regional context

Naturalist notes

Frequently asked

Climate

Nearby in Illinois

ZIP codes in Chicago