Chicago Weather in August

What August feels like in Chicago

August is late summer in Chicago. Days are warm enough for short sleeves, and time outdoors is easy. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights stay warm and the temperature hardly changes after dark. The air carries some moisture, so hot spells feel a little sticky.

Rain in Chicago in August

Expect a mix of dry and wet days, with rain about one day in 3. When rain comes it is heavy, about 9 mm (0.4 in) per wet day, often in short, strong bursts. That is close to Chicago's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 8.5 mm).

Daylight and sunshine in August

In mid-August, sunrise is at about 5:58 am and sunset at about 7:53 pm (local time) — 13 h 55 min of daylight. Evenings are drawing in — 1 h 2 min less daylight than mid-July. Measured sunshine covers about 83% of the daylight — skies are mostly clear.

How August compares to the rest of the year

In Chicago's temperature order, August sits as the 2nd warmest month. Compared with July, afternoons are 0.7°C (1.3°F) cooler, with 14 mm less rain. September is cooler again. By September, typical highs are 22.6°C (72.7°F).

Who August suits

• Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
• Parks & outdoor: less ideal — afternoons are too warm to linger outside.
• Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.

Tips for visiting Chicago in August

Quick questions