2026 Climate Averages

Weather in Chicago in May

The weather is near-perfect with ideal temperatures and minimal rain. Recommended month to visit.

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Climate Overview

May is an excellent time to visit Chicago. Chicago has a Moderate climate with average yearly highs of 17°C, lows of 9°C, and approximately 14 rainy days per month.

Avg High

17°C

Avg Low

9°C

Rainy days

14days

Daylight

14.5h

Is May a good time to visit Chicago?

The weather is near-perfect with ideal temperatures and minimal rain.

Daylight

Sunrise

5:32 AM

Sunset

8:03 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 May

Layers, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella.

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

Planning a trip to Chicago?

Common Questions

Is May a good time to visit Chicago? +

May is typically Excellent for visiting Chicago, with average highs of 17°C and around 14 rainy days.

What should I pack for Chicago in May? +

With highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C in {month}, we recommend: Layers, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella.

Does it rain a lot in Chicago in May? +

Chicago typically sees around 14 rainy days in May.

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

In May, Chicago gets approximately 14.5 hours of daylight per day.

Is May peak season in Chicago? +

Yes, May is peak season in Chicago. Expect higher prices and more crowds, but also the best weather.

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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Complete travel guide for Chicago: top things to do, itineraries, and typical costs.

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May

17° /
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