Monthly climate guide
Chicago weather in May
Expect mild weather in Chicago in May: afternoons reach about 15°C (60°F), while nights drop to around 9°C (49°F). Around 129 mm of rain falls over the month (wet), and skies are often cloudy. Daytime highs are 6°C warmer than April and 6°C cooler than June.
What stands out in May
- In Chicago, May is late spring.
- It's wetter than a typical month in Chicago — roughly 54% more rain than average.
- Keep a flexible plan: if showers roll in, shift Art Institute of Chicago to a drier part of the day.
- Temperatures are climbing — June is around 6°C warmer.
It's usually the wettest month of the year.
Avg high
15°C
60°F
Avg low
9°C
49°F
Rainfall
129 mm
wet
Humidity
83%
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 May
- A warm sweater or fleece for layering
- A mid-weight jacket
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
Is May 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 May
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Chicago weather in May. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/may
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/may">Chicago weather in May</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 May"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/chicago/may">Chicago weather in May</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Chicago in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Chicago?
May is one of the wetter months in Chicago, with about 129 mm of rain. You can still go: pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
How warm is Chicago in May?
Average highs are about 15°C (60°F) and average lows about 9°C (49°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Chicago in May?
Chicago typically gets around 129 mm of rain in May — wet. It's usually the wettest 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.