Chicago doesn’t just have four seasons-it has weather events that feel like different planets. One day you’re shoveling snow in January, and by July, you’re sweating through a heatwave that makes the lake feel like a sauna. If you’ve ever lived here or plan to, you need to know what to expect month by month. This isn’t just about coats and umbrellas. It’s about preparing for the real, unpredictable, and sometimes extreme shifts that define life in the Windy City.
Winter: Snow, Ice, and the Wind That Never Quits
December through February is when Chicago earns its nickname. Average temperatures hover between 15°F and 30°F, but wind chill often drops below 0°F. The lake effect doesn’t just bring snow-it dumps it. Chicago averages 37 inches of snow each winter, but some years, like 2024-2025, hit over 70 inches. That’s not a fluke. It’s the pattern.
Blizzards don’t come often, but when they do, they shut down the city. The 2021 Presidents’ Day storm dropped 21 inches in 48 hours. Public transit halted. Schools closed for days. Even the El trains froze in place. You learn fast: keep a snow shovel by the door, stock up on milk and bread before a forecast says "snow," and never assume your car will start after a night below -10°F.
Ice storms are just as dangerous. Freezing rain coats sidewalks, power lines, and tree branches in a slick, invisible layer. Power outages happen. Falls happen. And the wind? It doesn’t stop. Lake Michigan funnels cold air straight down Michigan Avenue at 30-40 mph. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing a parka. That wind cuts through like a blade.
Spring: The Slow Unfreeze
March feels like winter with more daylight. April brings rain-lots of it. Chicago gets nearly 4 inches of rain in April alone. The ground is still frozen underneath, so water pools. Basements flood. Sewer backups happen. It’s not unusual to see water gushing from storm drains onto sidewalks in early April.
By May, temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s. But don’t get fooled. A cold front can roll in and drop temps 30 degrees in a single night. That’s why locals never pack away their coats until Memorial Day. The city’s famous spring tornadoes? They’re rare, but real. The 2023 outbreak near O’Hare damaged 80 homes in one hour. No one talks about it much, but emergency sirens still go off every spring.
Summer: Heat, Humidity, and Lake Breezes
June through August is when Chicago gets hot. Not just warm-sweltering. Average highs hit 85°F, but heatwaves push it past 95°F. Humidity from Lake Michigan makes it feel like 105°F. In 2024, the city broke its all-time heat record: 108°F on July 14. Three people died that week from heat-related causes. The city opened cooling centers. Public pools ran 24/7.
Thunderstorms roll in almost daily. They’re sudden. Violent. Lightning strikes the Sears Tower. Rain falls so hard it looks like the sky is dumping buckets. One storm in 2025 dumped 5 inches of rain in 90 minutes. The Chicago River overflowed. Streets turned into rivers. Traffic vanished. You learn to check the radar every afternoon. If the sky turns greenish-gray, you go inside. No exceptions.
The lake breeze is your saving grace. Around 3 p.m., the wind shifts. It’s cool, wet, and smells like salt. Locals head to the beach. Tourists don’t know why. But if you’re on Michigan Avenue at 4 p.m., you’ll feel the temperature drop 15 degrees in 10 minutes. That’s Chicago’s secret weapon against summer heat.
Fall: The Quiet Transition
September is still summer. October? That’s when everything changes. Temperatures drop from 75°F to 50°F in three weeks. Leaves turn bright red and gold. The air gets crisp. It’s beautiful. But it’s also the start of something else.
By November, the first freeze hits. The city’s snow plows are already being tested. Rain turns to sleet. The first snowfall usually comes by Thanksgiving. In 2024, it snowed on November 10-two weeks earlier than average. That’s not normal. Climate patterns are shifting. Winters are starting earlier. Falls are getting shorter.
Wind picks up again. It’s not the brutal winter wind, but it’s enough to make you pull your collar up. The lake is still warm from summer, so it fuels odd weather. Fog rolls in off the water. Mornings are misty. By late November, it’s dark by 4:30 p.m. And the cold? It creeps in slow, then hits hard.
What’s Changing? Climate Shifts in Chicago
Chicago’s weather isn’t just seasonal anymore-it’s erratic. Since 2000, the number of days above 90°F has doubled. Winters are 3°F warmer on average. Snowfall totals have dropped slightly, but extreme snow events are more frequent. The 2020-2021 winter had three separate storms that each dropped over 20 inches. That’s not coincidence. It’s climate.
Spring floods are getting worse. The city’s aging drainage system wasn’t built for 5-inch downpours. In 2023, 12,000 homes had basement flooding. Insurance claims for water damage jumped 40% in five years.
Summer heat is deadlier. The 2024 heatwave killed more people than any since 1995. Hospitals saw a spike in ER visits for heat exhaustion. The city now sends out alerts when the heat index hits 100°F. But not everyone gets them. Elderly residents, especially in neighborhoods without AC, are at highest risk.
How to Prepare
- Winter: Keep an emergency kit in your car-blanket, ice scraper, salt, snacks, water. Charge your phone. Know where your nearest warming center is.
- Spring: Clean your gutters before April. Check your sump pump. Don’t trust the weather app-Chicago’s microclimates vary block by block.
- Summer: Stay hydrated. Know where the nearest public pool or library with AC is. If you have an older building, install a window fan. The breeze helps.
- Fall: Replace furnace filters. Test your smoke detectors. Get your coat ready by mid-October. Don’t wait.
Chicago weather doesn’t care if you’re ready. But if you know what’s coming, you won’t be caught off guard.
How much snow does Chicago usually get each winter?
Chicago averages about 37 inches of snow per winter. But this varies widely-some years see under 20 inches, while others, like 2024-2025, hit over 70 inches. Snowfall isn’t evenly spread; big storms can dump 20+ inches in a single event.
Is Chicago getting hotter in the summer?
Yes. Since 2000, the number of days above 90°F has doubled. The record high of 108°F was set in July 2024. Humidity from Lake Michigan makes it feel even hotter. Heat-related hospital visits have increased sharply, especially in neighborhoods without air conditioning.
Why does it feel windier in Chicago than other cities?
Chicago sits on the shore of Lake Michigan, and the flat terrain lets wind move freely. In winter, cold air from Canada sweeps across the lake and picks up speed. In summer, lake breezes push inland. The city’s tall buildings also create wind tunnels, especially along Michigan Avenue and near the Loop.
Do tornadoes happen in Chicago?
Direct hits on downtown are rare, but tornadoes do occur in the metro area, especially in spring and early summer. The 2023 outbreak near O’Hare damaged over 80 homes. The city has a tornado warning system, and sirens sound if a funnel is spotted. Always take them seriously.
What’s the best way to stay informed about Chicago weather?
Use the National Weather Service Chicago app or local stations like WGN-TV or ABC7. Avoid national apps-they don’t account for Chicago’s microclimates. Local radar updates every 10 minutes. If you’re near the lake, watch for sudden temperature drops-it means a breeze is coming.
What Comes Next?
If you’re thinking about moving to Chicago, don’t just look at the skyline. Look at the weather history. The city’s seasons are changing. Winters are shorter but harsher. Summers are hotter and more dangerous. Spring floods are more common. Fall fades faster.
Living here isn’t about surviving the weather. It’s about adapting to it. The people who thrive? They plan. They prepare. They know when to stay inside. And they never, ever underestimate the wind.