Current Conditions
42°F
Feels like 35°F
Partly Cloudy
As of Nov 12, 2026, 8:45 AM · Last checked Nov 12, 2026, 9:08 AM
Times shown in America/Chicago. Some values may come from forecast models.
14 mph
NW · Gusts 23 mph
78%
8.9 mi
29.91 inHg
0.0
Low
Chicago reports partly cloudy as of Nov 12, 2026, 8:45 AM with temperatures near 42°F (6°C). Humidity is 78%, and winds are around 14 mph.
Check the forecast times and official local alerts before planning commuting, outdoor activities, or travel in Chicago.
Chicago has a humid continental climate shaped by Lake Michigan. At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the 1991-2020 reference averages range from a daily high of 32°F (0°C) in Jan to 85°F (29°C) in Jul. Monthly precipitation averages sum to 37.9 inches (962 mm) per year.
Spring is volatile with rapid temperature swings and severe thunderstorm risk. Summer lake breezes keep the lakefront cooler than inland neighborhoods. Fall is often sunny and pleasant. Winter wind chills regularly drop below -10°F, making wind protection important.
A Lake Michigan breeze can bring a sharp temperature drop to Chicago's lakefront while inland neighborhoods stay warm. The size and reach of that cooling depend on the lake temperature and wind pattern.
Local Planning Guide
Chicago needs close monitoring during late-winter cold snaps, spring severe-weather setups, summer lake-breeze days, and early-season snow or ice events.
Lake Michigan often changes storm timing, precipitation type, and temperatures, so radar loops and local alerts help separate lakefront impacts from inland neighborhoods.
Climate reference averages (1991-2020). Average daily high, average daily low, and monthly precipitation.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31.6°F | 18.8°F | 2.0 in |
| Feb | 35.7°F | 21.8°F | 2.0 in |
| Mar | 47°F | 31°F | 2.5 in |
| Apr | 59°F | 40.3°F | 3.8 in |
| May | 70.5°F | 50.6°F | 4.5 in |
| Jun | 80.4°F | 60.8°F | 4.1 in |
| Jul | 84.5°F | 66.4°F | 3.7 in |
| Aug | 82.5°F | 65.1°F | 4.3 in |
| Sep | 75.5°F | 57.1°F | 3.2 in |
| Oct | 62.7°F | 45.4°F | 3.4 in |
| Nov | 48.4°F | 34.1°F | 2.4 in |
| Dec | 36.6°F | 24.4°F | 2.1 in |
Climate data and sources. Verified against NOAA NCEI: CHICAGO OHARE INTL AP, IL US (PDF) (USW00094846), 1991-2020. Values are rounded for display. Raw data (JSON). Climate averages are not a forecast and do not describe every neighborhood.
These guides, tools, and feature pages help you interpret the conditions on this page and plan around what happens next.
Tool
Estimate cold-weather exposure risk from temperature and wind speed.
Seasonal Hub
A seasonal hub for tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, and storm-prep reading.
Tool
Convert between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin instantly.
Glossary
Wind chill is how cold the air feels on exposed skin once wind is taken into account.
Explore local pages built around radar, alerts, air quality, and app-download search intent for this city.
Local Weather App
Compare what a weather app should handle in Chicago: local forecasts, radar, alerts, air quality, and planning tools from WeatherAI.
Local Weather Radar
How to read Chicago weather radar: storm motion, precipitation type, and what to check before rain reaches your neighborhood.
Local Storm Tracker
Track storms near Chicago with radar loops, storm movement, local alerts, saved places, and WeatherAI storm tracking features for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro.
Local Alerts
Get local weather alert guidance for Chicago, including severe weather, wind, rain, heat, and daily planning notifications in WeatherAI.
Air Quality
Plan around Chicago air quality with weather context, outdoor planning guidance, and WeatherAI air quality monitoring for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro.