Monthly climate guide
Chicago weather in January
With highs near 0°C (31°F) and lows around -5°C (22°F), January feels freezing in Chicago. Rainfall averages about 48 mm (fairly dry) and the sky is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 3°C cooler than December and about the same as February.
What stands out in January
- It's one of the drier months, with about 43% less rain than Chicago's average.
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
- Dress warmly for Art Institute of Chicago: short, cold days are the norm.
- Mornings start cold: the average low is -5°C, and frost is common.
January is typically Chicago's coolest month.It's usually the driest month of the year.
Avg high
0°C
31°F
Avg low
-5°C
22°F
Rainfall
48 mm
fairly dry
Humidity
86%
relative
Sky
70%
cloud · often cloudy
Chicago weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C / 31°F | -5°C / 22°F | 48 mm | 86% | 70% |
| February | 0°C / 32°F | -6°C / 22°F | 61 mm | 85% | 71% |
| March | 5°C / 40°F | -1°C / 30°F | 57 mm | 82% | 65% |
| April | 10°C / 49°F | 3°C / 38°F | 108 mm | 81% | 65% |
| May | 15°C / 60°F | 9°C / 49°F | 129 mm | 83% | 65% |
| June | 21°C / 70°F | 15°C / 59°F | 113 mm | 82% | 57% |
| July | 25°C / 77°F | 20°C / 68°F | 93 mm | 79% | 47% |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 20°C / 68°F | 95 mm | 76% | 46% |
| September | 22°C / 72°F | 17°C / 62°F | 85 mm | 77% | 48% |
| October | 15°C / 60°F | 10°C / 49°F | 107 mm | 78% | 59% |
| November | 8°C / 47°F | 3°C / 37°F | 59 mm | 80% | 63% |
| December | 3°C / 38°F | -1°C / 30°F | 53 mm | 85% | 73% |
What to pack for January
- A proper insulated winter coat
- A hat, scarf and gloves
- Thermal base layers and warm, grippy boots for icy mornings
- A small travel umbrella, just in case
Is January a good time to visit Chicago?
Our Chicago guide recommends: May to June or September to October, avoiding the bitter winter cold and the most humid days of summer.
A river or lake architecture boat tour is one of the best ways to see the skyline that made Chicago famous for its buildings.
Best time to visit Chicago →Other United States cities in January
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Chicago weather in January. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/january
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/january">Chicago weather in January</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/usa/chicago" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Chicago weather in January"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/january">Chicago weather in January</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Chicago in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Chicago?
January is cool in Chicago, with highs around 0°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is Chicago in January?
Average highs are about 0°C (31°F) and average lows about -5°C (22°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Chicago in January?
Chicago typically gets around 48 mm of rain in January — fairly dry. It's usually the driest month of the year.
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
May to June or September to October, avoiding the bitter winter cold and the most humid days of summer.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around Chicago (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.