Chicago weather in December
Chicago in December averages 0°C (31°F) and 59 mm of rain.
Of the twelve months in Chicago, December is the third coldest and the third driest.
- Average temp
- 0°C (31°F)
-4–3°C · 25–37°F
- Rainfall
- 59 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- —
- Wind
- 16 km/h
What is Chicago like in December?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Some rain is likely; pack for showers.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Chicago in December?
A light rain jacket
About 59 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around -4°C (25°F).
December compared with November and January
December in Chicago is 6°C cooler than November and 10 mm drier than it, which averages 6°C (42°F).
December in Chicago is 3°C warmer than January and about as wet as it, which averages -3°C (26°F).
Daylight in Chicago in December
On 15 December the sun is up for 9 hours 9 minutes in Chicago, rising about 07:11 and setting about 16:20 local time.
No month in Chicago has less daylight than December.
Where to stay in Chicago
Dates are a starting point for December.
Travel guides for Chicago
What to read before you book.
Chicago weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How December compares with the rest of the year
December is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | -3°C / 26°F | 58 mm |
| February | -1°C / 29°F | 54 mm |
| March | 4°C / 39°F | 68 mm |
| April | 10°C / 50°F | 105 mm |
| May | 16°C / 62°F | 121 mm |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 115 mm |
| July | 25°C / 76°F | 102 mm |
| August | 24°C / 74°F | 104 mm |
| September | 20°C / 67°F | 85 mm |
| October | 13°C / 55°F | 98 mm |
| November | 6°C / 42°F | 69 mm |
| December | 0°C / 31°F | 59 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about Chicago in December
December climate averages for Chicago, 1991–2020.
Chicago averages 0°C (31°F) in December, ranging from about -4°C (25°F) at night to 3°C (37°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Some. About 59 mm falls across December, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
Yes. December averages 0°C (31°F) against -3°C (26°F) in January — 3°C warmer.
December is 6°C cooler than November, and 10 mm drier.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; December sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what December is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 9 hours 9 minutes of daylight in mid-December, the least of any month in Chicago.
On 15 December, sunrise is about 07:11 and sunset about 16:20 local time. Both shift across the month.
