Monthly climate guide
Chicago weather in March
March in Chicago is typically cold, with average daytime highs around 5°C (40°F) and night-time lows near -1°C (30°F). The month usually brings about 57 mm of rain (some rain) and is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 5°C warmer than February and 5°C cooler than April.
What stands out in March
- Nights often drop below freezing (average low -1°C), so expect frost and icy mornings.
- Dress warmly for Navy Pier: short, cold days are the norm.
- In Chicago, March is early spring.
- Temperatures are climbing — April is around 5°C warmer.
Avg high
5°C
40°F
Avg low
-1°C
30°F
Rainfall
57 mm
some rain
Humidity
82%
relative
Sky
65%
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 March
- 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 March 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 March
Cite or embed this data
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Chicago weather in March. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/march
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/march">Chicago weather in March</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 March"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/march">Chicago weather in March</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Chicago in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Chicago?
March is cool in Chicago, with highs around 5°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is Chicago in March?
Average highs are about 5°C (40°F) and average lows about -1°C (30°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Chicago in March?
Chicago typically gets around 57 mm of rain in March — some rain.
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.