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Chicago vs Denver weather: climate comparison
Chicago is the warmer of the two, averaging 50°F (10°C) over the year against 49°F (10°C) in Denver. Chicago is wetter, with 38.7 in (982 mm) of precipitation a year to Denver's 18.7 in (474 mm). Below: every month side by side, from 30 years of ERA5 data (1996–2025).
- Mean temperature
- 10.1°C Chicago
9.6°C Denver - Annual precipitation
- 982.3 mm Chicago
474.1 mm Denver - Rainy days a year
- 121 Chicago
81 Denver - Sunshine per day
- 8.8 h Chicago
10.5 h Denver
Month by month
| Month | Chicago | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| January | -0.9°C | 4.9°C |
| February | 0.6°C | 6.0°C |
| March | 5.4°C | 11.2°C |
| April | 11.4°C | 15.2°C |
| May | 17.9°C | 20.4°C |
| June | 24.2°C | 27.3°C |
| July | 26.6°C | 30.6°C |
| August | 25.8°C | 29.3°C |
| September | 22.5°C | 25.5°C |
| October | 15.6°C | 17.9°C |
| November | 8.3°C | 10.8°C |
| December | 2.2°C | 5.4°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Chicago | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 10.1°C | 9.6°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Jul · 27°C | Jul · 31°C |
| Coldest month (avg low) | Jan · -7°C | Jan · -9°C |
| Annual range (warmest high − coldest low) | 34°C | 40°C |
| Annual precipitation | 982.3 mm | 474.1 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 121 | 81 |
| Wettest / driest month | May / Feb | May / Dec |
| Average sunshine per day | 8.8 h | 10.5 h |
In short: Chicago is the warmest overall (10.1°C mean); Chicago gets the most precipitation (982.3 mm a year); Denver is the sunniest (10.5 h a day on average); Chicago has the smallest swing between its warmest and coldest months.
Record high 1996–2025: Chicago 37.4°C (2022-06-21), Denver 38.7°C (2025-06-21). Record low: Chicago -32.5°C (2019-01-31), Denver -36.5°C (2024-01-16).
Source: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (CC BY 4.0). Values are ERA5 reanalysis model data on a ~9–25 km grid, not readings from a weather station, so a single town’s thermometer can differ by a few degrees and local showers can be missed. Monthly means of daily ERA5 values, 1996–2025, for the grid cells nearest Chicago (41.86, -87.65) and Denver (39.75, -105.02).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in January, when Denver runs 10°F / 6°C warmer, and narrowest in October (4°F / 2°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in July: Chicago gets 2.5 in (64 mm) more on average.
Add a third or fourth city, or swap in any other place, in the full comparison tool. For one city in depth, see the Chicago climate and Denver climate pages.
Compare Chicago or Denver with another city
Questions people ask
Is Chicago warmer than Denver?
Chicago is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 50°F (10°C) against 49°F (10°C) in Denver (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Chicago or Denver?
Chicago, with about 38.7 in (982 mm) of precipitation a year and 121 days with at least 1 mm, compared with 18.7 in (474 mm) and 81 days in Denver.
Which is sunnier, Chicago or Denver?
Denver averages more sunshine: 10.5 h a day against 8.8 h. Sunshine duration is modelled from cloud cover.
How reliable is this comparison?
Both cities use the same 30-year reanalysis, so differences are consistent. Absolute values describe a grid cell several kilometres wide and can differ by a degree or two from the airport station.