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Weather & Climate in Chicago, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chicago experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 269 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 49.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 19.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 584 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Area | 234.1 sq mi (606.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 11,889/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8370°N, 87.6849°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Cook County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chicago Midway International (MDW) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 100.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Very High |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Jun 28, 2004 | 12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois | M4.2 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Sep 2, 1999 | 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois | M3.5 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 12 km | 1 km |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois | M3.1 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 69 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois | M2.6 | 108 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
520 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 84 fatalities, 1,754 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 28, 1990 | EF5 | 58 km | 16.4 mi | 29 |
| Jun 29, 1979 | EF4 | 57 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF4 | 32 km | 3.3 mi | 2 |
| Sep 28, 1972 | EF4 | 52 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 22 km | 15.0 mi | 33 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 60 km | 8.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 72 km | 9.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 17, 1963 | EF4 | 81 km | 57.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 20, 2021 | EF3 | 44 km | 17.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 83 km | 16.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF3 | 86 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 95 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 45 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 62 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF3 | 91 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 61 km | 12.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 60 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 93 km | 38.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 66 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1967 | EF3 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1954 | MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN) | Avalanche | 3.0 m | 7 | 68 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,741 | 65 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,664 | 63 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 95 km |
| 2021 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3 | 978 | 60 km |
| 2024 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX | 938 | 59 km |
| 1986 | OGDEN DUNS | 863 | 46 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 738 | 59 km |
| 2021 | MIDDLE GRANT CREEK | 700 | 65 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 698 | 58 km |
| 2024 | IBSP SOUTH F1 RX | 690 | 64 km |
| 2021 | 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST | 594 | 47 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 549 | 65 km |
| 2017 | 17 INDU COWLES DUNES | 522 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.8 in | |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.5 in |
Chicago has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 28°F in February to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 37.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.6").