Chicago weather in December
December in Chicago: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#10 of 12 months in Chicago · #467 of 604 destinations to visit in December · comfort 52/100 (tier D)
Updated June 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Chicago climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 5°C / 41°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -1°C / 31°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 1°C / 34°F | |
| Rainfall | 68 mm / 2.7 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 9 days | |
| Humidity | 75% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | -3°C / 27°F | |
| Sunshine | 5 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.2 h | |
| Wind | 23 km/h / 14 mph | |
| Snowfall | 5.3 cm / 2.1 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 37 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
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Chicago in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Chicago?
- December in Chicago: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #10 of 12 months for Chicago on SeasonMap's comfort score (52/100).
- What is the weather like in Chicago in December?
- In December, Chicago averages a daily high of 5°C and a low of -0.7°C, with about 68 mm of rain over roughly 9.2 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Chicago in December?
- Chicago has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 37 in December.
- Does it snow in Chicago in December?
- Chicago sees roughly 5.3 cm of snowfall in December.