2026 Climate Averages

Weather in Chicago in December

Conditions are pleasant for sightseeing, though you might encounter occasional showers.

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Climate Overview

December is a good time to visit Chicago. Chicago has a Moderate climate with average yearly highs of 3°C, lows of -3°C, and approximately 5 rainy days per month.

Avg High

3°C

Avg Low

-3°C

Rainy days

5days

Daylight

9.2h

Is December a good time to visit Chicago?

Conditions are pleasant for sightseeing, though you might encounter occasional showers.

Daylight

Sunrise

7:11 AM

Sunset

4:21 PM

Weather by Month
Monthly weather data
Month High Low Rainy days Condition
January 2°C -4°C 8 Good
February 1°C -7°C 9 Good
March 8°C 0°C 12 Good
April 11°C 2°C 16 Wet
May 17°C 9°C 14 Excellent (best)
June 25°C 17°C 14 Excellent (best)
July 28°C 20°C 14 Wet
August 27°C 19°C 9 Good
September 22°C 14°C 9 Excellent (best)
October 14°C 6°C 12 Excellent (best)
November 12°C 3°C 6 Good
December 3°C -3°C 5 Good

Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2025) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2025

What to Pack for December

Warm coat, scarf, gloves, thermal layers, and waterproof boots.

Climate: Moderate
Travel Context Perfect weather for walking tours and all-day sightseeing.

Planning a trip to Chicago?

Common Questions

Is December a good time to visit Chicago? +

December is typically Good for visiting Chicago, with average highs of 3°C and around 5 rainy days.

What should I pack for Chicago in December? +

With highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C in {month}, we recommend: Warm coat, scarf, gloves, thermal layers, and waterproof boots.

Does it rain a lot in Chicago in December? +

Chicago typically sees around 5 rainy days in December.

How many hours of daylight are there in Chicago in December? +

In December, Chicago gets approximately 9.2 hours of daylight per day.

Is December peak season in Chicago? +

No, December is not peak season in Chicago. Expect better value on accommodation and fewer tourists.

What is the best month to visit Chicago? +

The best months to visit Chicago are May, June, September, October, when the weather is optimal for sightseeing.

Weather Data: Based on 2020–2025 historical climate data from Open-Meteo

Solar calculations: SunCalc (timezone: America/Chicago)

Last Updated: January 2026

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December

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