Planning a trip to Chicago in October? You are in luck! The weather is generally good, with an average maximum temperature of +61°F and approximately 6 sunny days. Just be prepared for some rain, as there are usually around 12 rainy days and 81 mm of precipitation. Expect good weather and pack accordingly to enjoy the outdoors. Search flightsin one click on Avionero.
Average weather
☀️
+61°F
Avg. max. temperature
+28°F
Min.
+88°F
Max.
81 mm
Total precipitation
67%
Avg. humidity
4 m/s
Avg. wind
6 ☀️
Sunny Days
11 ⛅️
Cloudy
12 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Chicago has good weather in October.
Average temperature in Chicago in October
Here are the expected maximum, average and minimum temperatures in Chicago for October based on the historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
Going from a maximum of +86°F during the day to a minimum of +30°F during the night, the temperature in October averages around +64°F.
The average maximum temperature goes down 84% by the end of the month, compared with the beginning of the month, from +84°F to +37°F.
Is Chicago warm or cold in October?
Chicago is typically mild in October.
Maximum temperatures go down compared to the previous month from +73°F to +61°F. The minimum temperature also goes down from +61°F to +50°F.
Pack a light jacket as it will be warm in the day and cool in the evenings.
Take a look at how October is compared to other months in Chicago:
Water temperature in Chicago in October
Water in Chicago in October is Cold. It varies from +53°F to +65°F, with an average of +59°F.This is almost similar to the air temperature, which averages +61°F.
In October, water temperatures are average relative to the rest of the year:
The warmest water temperatures in Chicago are reached in August, when the average sea temperature rises to +74°F. The coldest water temperatures are in February, with an average of +37°F.
Can you swim in Chicago in October?
We would not recommend swimming in Chicago in October, the water is very cold (+59°F on average). Consider swimming only if you are an experienced cold-water swimmer with proper gear.
🦭
Cold
Below +61°F
🏄♂️
Fresh
61°F - 70°F
🏊
Comfortable
70°F - 77°F
👙
Warm
77°F - 82°F
🔥
Very warm
+82°C and up
You will need a full-body wetsuit, cap, gloves, a warm change of clothes, and a hot drink ready for after your swim.
Climate in Chicago in October
Chicago weather looks like this, on average, in October and the surrounding months.
September
October
November
Avg. temperature
+73°F
+61°F
+48°F
Min. temperature
+41°F
+28°F
+9°F
Max. temperature
+97°F
+88°F
+75°F
Rainfall
75 mm
81 mm
70 mm
Wind
3 m/s
4 m/s
4 m/s
Avg. water temperature
+69°F
+59°F
+49°F
Humidity
67%
67%
69%
Air pressure
1016 HPa
1016 HPa
1017 HPa
Sunny days
7
6
4
Cloudy days
9
11
14
Rainy days
11
12
10
Snowy days
0
0
2
October weather is still as good as in September.It’s getting colder in October. From +73°F in the day, the average maximum temperature lowers to +61°F.Prepare for more rain. Average rainfall goes from 75 mm to 81 mm.Humidity levels don’t change as the month goes on, averaging around 67%.Winds are stronger in comparison to September, going up from 3 m/s to 4 m/s on average.The days becoming less sunny, going from 7 sunny days in September to 6 in October.
Next month (November) brings a further decline in the weather.
Wind speed in Chicago in October based on historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
The average wind speed is 4 m/s getting up to 6 m/s which is a medium breeze. You can feel it, especially getting out of the water.
The average wind speed in Chicago is gradually increasing during October, going from 2 m/s to 5 m/s over the course of the month.
Rain
Amount of rainfall in mm during October in Chicago based on historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
Typically, there is a 52% chance of rain on an average day in October, with total rainfall of approximately 156 mm. The maximum amount of rainfall per day is around 38 mm, which is moderate rain.October is a pretty wet month with over 16 rainy days, so don’t forget to pack an umbrella, raincoat, and a pair of wellies.
Here’s how October is compared with other months in the amount of precipitation, total mm:
Chicago wettest month is May, where a typical day has a 42% chance of precipitation and 101 mm of rainfall per day. February, on the other hand, is the driest month with a mere 7% chance of precipitation and 21 mm of rainfall per day.
Snow
Amount of snow in mm during October in Chicago based on historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
Typically, there is a 0% chance of snow on an average day in October, with a total monthly snowfall of approximately 1 mm.
Here’s how October is compared with other months in the amount of snow, total mm:
How was the weather last October in Chicago?
This is the weather in Chicago in October 2023:
1 October
☀️
+84°F
2 October
☀️
+85°F
3 October
☀️
+86°F
4 October
☁️
+84°F
5 October
🌫️
+79°F
6 October
☁️
+67°F
7 October
☀️
+58°F
8 October
☁️
+54°F
9 October
☀️
+58°F
10 October
☁️
+62°F
11 October
☀️
+67°F
12 October
🌧️
+60°F
13 October
🌧️
+59°F
14 October
🌫️
+57°F
15 October
☁️
+56°F
16 October
☁️
+54°F
17 October
☀️
+62°F
18 October
☁️
+66°F
19 October
🌧️
+64°F
20 October
☁️
+57°F
21 October
☁️
+64°F
22 October
☀️
+57°F
23 October
☁️
+66°F
24 October
☀️
+81°F
25 October
🌧️
+73°F
26 October
🌧️
+70°F
27 October
☁️
+69°F
28 October
☁️
+57°F
29 October
🌧️
+49°F
30 October
☀️
+43°F
31 October
☀️
+37°F
In October 2023 Chicago had 11 sunny days, 12 cloudy days, and 6 rainy days. The average maximum temperature was +64°F, with an absolute maximum of +86°F and a minimum of +37°F. The average humidity was 74%, with a maximum of 100% and a minimum of 34%. The average wind speed was 4 m/s, with a maximum of 12 m/s and a minimum of 0 m/s.
Are you planning a trip in October?
Climate Change Over the Years
This is how Chicago climate has changed over the last 43 years.
The climate in Chicago in October has not changed that much over the last 43 years.
The average temperature was the lowest in 1979 (+54°F) and the highest in 2012 (+63°F). The driest year was 2005 with only 501 mm of rainfall, and the wettest year was 2023 with 1535 mm.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Chicago in October:
Is October a good time to visit Chicago?
October is a really good time to go to Chicago. The weather is nice so plan your packing around outdoor activities and exploring. Check out other good time to visit Chicago.
Can you sunbathe in Chicago in October?
October has mild temperatures in Chicago. Not ideal for sunbathing, but still good for daytime outdoor activities, but plan for cool evenings. Pack a light jacket and shorts!
Can you swim in Chicago in October?
Swimming in Chicago in October is challenging and not recommended for inexperienced swimmers or without proper equipment and preparation.
Is Chicago rainy in October?
Chicago is often rainy in October. You may get a bit damp when outside, so pack an umbrella, and maybe even a raincoat.
Is it sunny in Chicago in October?
Usually, it’s not very sunny in Chicago in October, often it’s pretty cloudy. Pack for any eventuality; layering can help reduce the number of bulky items needed.
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Chicago, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.
