What February feels like in Chicago
In Chicago, February brings late winter. Even the warmest hour of the day stays near freezing. There is little difference between day and night: nights drop well below freezing, and evenings feel much like the afternoon. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in Chicago in February
Showers are a regular feature, arriving about one day in 4. A rainy day brings about 7.4 mm (0.3 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. Across the year Chicago averages about 8.5 mm per rainy day, so February is typical. It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in February
In mid-February, sunrise is at about 6:48 am and sunset at about 5:22 pm (local time) — 10 h 34 min of daylight. The days are stretching out — 1 h 7 min more daylight than mid-January. Measured sunshine covers about 66% of the daylight — there are plenty of bright spells.
How February compares to the rest of the year
In Chicago's temperature order, February sits as the 2nd coolest month. Afternoons run 0.8°C (1.4°F) warmer than in January, with about the same rain. The warm-up continues into March. March averages a high of 6.1°C (43°F).
Who February suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Chicago in February
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Warm Layers
Insulated layers and warm shoes for the cold hours.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Chicago in February?
Afternoons average 0.3°C (32.5°F) and nights about -7.2°C (19°F) — freezing by most people's standards. It is the 2nd coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Chicago in February?
It does: about 8 rainy days bring roughly 60 mm, so plan some indoor options.
What should I wear in Chicago in February?
The numbers point to rain protection, warm layers and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is February or March better for visiting Chicago?
March scores better on our climate ranking (#8 of 12 vs #10), rated Fair against Poor. March is warmer and has more rainy days.