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Chicago vs Las Vegas weather: climate comparison
Las Vegas is the warmer of the two, averaging 68°F (20°C) over the year against 50°F (10°C) in Chicago. Chicago is wetter, with 38.7 in (982 mm) of precipitation a year to Las Vegas's 5.2 in (131 mm). Below: every month side by side, from 30 years of ERA5 data (1996–2025).
- Mean temperature
- 10.1°C Chicago
20.2°C Las Vegas - Annual precipitation
- 982.3 mm Chicago
130.9 mm Las Vegas - Rainy days a year
- 121 Chicago
25 Las Vegas - Sunshine per day
- 8.8 h Chicago
11.3 h Las Vegas
Month by month
| Month | Chicago | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| January | -0.9°C | 14.1°C |
| February | 0.6°C | 16.3°C |
| March | 5.4°C | 20.9°C |
| April | 11.4°C | 25.4°C |
| May | 17.9°C | 30.8°C |
| June | 24.2°C | 36.8°C |
| July | 26.6°C | 39.5°C |
| August | 25.8°C | 38.2°C |
| September | 22.5°C | 33.9°C |
| October | 15.6°C | 26.5°C |
| November | 8.3°C | 18.9°C |
| December | 2.2°C | 13.3°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Chicago | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 10.1°C | 20.2°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Jul · 27°C | Jul · 39°C |
| Coldest month (avg low) | Jan · -7°C | Dec · 4°C |
| Annual range (warmest high − coldest low) | 34°C | 36°C |
| Annual precipitation | 982.3 mm | 130.9 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 121 | 25 |
| Wettest / driest month | May / Feb | Feb / Jun |
| Average sunshine per day | 8.8 h | 11.3 h |
In short: Las Vegas is the warmest overall (20.2°C mean); Chicago gets the most precipitation (982.3 mm a year); Las Vegas is the sunniest (11.3 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), Las Vegas 47.4°C (2024-07-07). Record low: Chicago -32.5°C (2019-01-31), Las Vegas -6.9°C (2008-12-19).
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 Las Vegas (36.17, -115.13).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in February, when Las Vegas runs 28°F / 16°C warmer, and narrowest in November (19°F / 11°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in May: Chicago gets 4.2 in (107 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 Las Vegas climate pages.
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Questions people ask
Is Chicago warmer than Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 68°F (20°C) against 50°F (10°C) in Chicago (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Chicago or Las Vegas?
Chicago, with about 38.7 in (982 mm) of precipitation a year and 121 days with at least 1 mm, compared with 5.2 in (131 mm) and 25 days in Las Vegas.
Which is sunnier, Chicago or Las Vegas?
Las Vegas averages more sunshine: 11.3 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.