Are you wondering what the coldest month in Chicago is? If so, keep reading!
If you’re visiting Chicago soon, you might be asking yourself the question, what is the coldest month in Chicago?
It’s good to know these things, as it can have a big impact on how you spend your time.
As you’re probably aware, Chicago can get VERY cold – so knowing which months are the coldest in Chicago, can make sure you visit at a time of the year when you’ll be comfortable!
So, what is the coldest month in Chicago?
Your answer: January is the coldest month in Chicago, closely followed by February and December.
What is the coldest month in Chicago? January is considered the coldest month in Chicago, closely followed by February – which is also extremely cold!
Some years, you may find that February is colder than January – as the climate during these two months tend to be very similar, and sometimes one will take lead over the other from the previous year!
Average monthly temperatures in Chicago…
When researching what is the coldest month in Chicago – you might need to know a little more about the averages too.
Here’s a list of the average monthly temperatures in Chicago, so you can see how the summer months and summer temperatures compare to the winter temperatures and winter weather in Chicago.
This data is the average monthly temperatures using a 10-year average from 2010 to 2019.
You’ll be able to the see quite clearly on the table below, which months are the coldest in Chicago.
| High °F | Low °F | Month | High °C | Low °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 17 | January | -1 | -9 |
| 35 | 19 | February | 1 | -7 |
| 47 | 30 | March | 8 | -1 |
| 59 | 39 | April | 15 | 4 |
| 71 | 51 | May | 22 | 10 |
| 80 | 61 | June | 27 | 16 |
| 85 | 66 | July | 29 | 19 |
| 83 | 65 | August | 28 | 18 |
| 76 | 58 | September | 24 | 14 |
| 63 | 45 | October | 17 | 7 |
| 48 | 32 | November | 9 | 0 |
| 37 | 24 | December | 3 | -4 |
Here’s a visual graph of the coldest month in Chicago
Here’s a visual graph of the coldest month of the year in Chicago – so you can see a little easier how the temperature averages during the year differ and compare to each other.
Does Chicago reach freezing temperatures?
Yes it does! In fact, Chicago (being so north) is definitely one of the coldest states in the USA.
Freezing temperatures are common in the coldest months in Chicago, so during the winter season you’ll find that freezing temperatures can (and will!) occur regularly.
And during the coldest month in Chicago, you can certainly expect freezing temperatures.
Chicago has been known to experience freezing temperatures from November to April, even though the coldest month in Chicago is generally considered to be January.
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So, is January a bad time to visit Chicago?
Now you know that the coldest month of the year in Chicago is January – you may be wondering if January is a bad time to visit the city.
It’s actually quite a nice time of year to visit, if you don’t mind the cold!
Why? Well, January is definitely the most off-peak month in Chicago, so the city is quieter, cheaper, and easier to explore.
If you plan on spending time in some of the city’s indoor attractions (such as the many bars, museums, art galleries, theatres, etc) then January could mean less queuing time, discounted ticket prices, and fewer crowds. Which is great news!
You might assume the coldest month in Chicago is a bad time to visit, but there are many advantages to it!
But, obviously, the cold is a factor. For people used to warmer temperatures, the coldest month in Chicago might be a little bit TOO cold to manage.
You’ll need to wrap up warm, with multiple layers, perhaps thermals, and big coats to stay comfortable when exploring outdoors.
Does it snow in January in Chicago?
If you’ve been researching what is the coldest month in Chicago, you might also be wondering about snowfall!
So, yes, January and February are the months you’re most likely to experience snow in Chicago. The graphs below shows the months most likely to snow in Chicago.
You can see from the graph below that snow can be expected in Chicago from late November, to early March.
What is the coldest month in Chicago? Hopefully this post has answered all your questions!
So, when it comes to knowing what is the coldest month in Chicago, hopefully this post has given you a great idea of when to visit Chicago, and when to expect the coldest weather in the city.
The coldest month in Chicago isn’t necessarily a bad time to visit, it can be magical to experience the coldest month in Chicago in the snow and the frost!
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