Weather in Chicago in October
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Book now, pay at pickup — compare Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt and 800+ rental companies for October in Chicago.
Compare car hire prices → Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to youOctober in Chicago is cool, with average highs of 16.4°C and lows of 8.8°C. It is fairly wet (14 rainy days on average), with roughly 7.3 hours of sunshine a day. It is one of the best months of the year to visit. For the complete picture, see the best time to visit Chicago — every month compared. Once you know when to go, find your Chicago packing list at 247PackingList.
Get ready for Chicago in October
Search flights to Chicago
Compare 100+ airlines for October — one search, best price.
Search Flights →Thermal travel layers
Pack proper layers — winters are genuinely cold and evenings drop fast year-round.
Check Price →What to pack for Chicago in October
- Warm layers
- Light jacket or fleece
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Compact travel umbrella
- Waterproof jacket
- Quick-dry clothing
Compare all months in Chicago
| Month | High | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.0°C | 66.1mm | 8/10 |
| February | 1.2°C | 64.3mm | 8/10 |
| March | 8.5°C | 89.6mm | 10/10 |
| April | 13.3°C | 92.4mm | 10/10 |
| May | 18.9°C | 108.9mm | 9/10 |
| June | 25.9°C | 103.8mm | 9/10 |
| July | 27.2°C | 172.8mm | 9/10 |
| August | 27.0°C | 111.8mm | 9/10 |
| September | 23.5°C | 106.1mm | 9/10 |
| October | 16.4°C | 130.3mm | 9/10 |
| November | 9.9°C | 37.4mm | 10/10 |
| December | 4.8°C | 65.3mm | 8/10 |
Full month-by-month guide: best time to visit Chicago →
For facts about United States — currency, language and dialling code — see our United States country guide at 247CountryInfo. Travellers also find it useful to keep a Chicago travel guide to hand. Check clothing sizes in United States before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October a good time to visit Chicago?
October rates 9/10 for visiting Chicago — excellent time to visit. Expect average highs of 16.4°C, 130.3mm of rain across the month and about 7.3 hours of daily sunshine.
What is the temperature in Chicago in October?
In October, Chicago has average highs of 16.4°C (61.5°F) and average lows of 8.8°C (47.8°F).
Does it rain in Chicago in October?
Some rain is likely. Chicago averages 130.3mm across about 14 rainy days in October, so a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
What should I wear in Chicago in October?
For Chicago in October (16.4°C highs / 8.8°C lows), pack warm layers plus light jacket or fleece, comfortable walking shoes, compact travel umbrella.
More essentials for Chicago in October
Packing cubes
Keep the bag organised whatever the weather — compression cubes for every size.
Check Price →Travel first aid kit
Compact TSA-friendly kit for peace of mind wherever you travel.
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Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.