December 20 is statistically one of the best days of the year in Chicago. With minimal rain risk (14%) and pleasant highs of 2°C, it's ideal for outdoor adventures. Chicago is currently in its most popular travel window, meaning vibrant crowds and premium pricing.
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Essential Travel Info for Chicago
Currency
USD
$ United States dollar
Language
English
Driving
Right side
Connect
The first Internet café in the United St...
Safety
Moderate Safety
GPI: 2.44
Chicago Weather Forecast for December 20
"Cold & Crisp. Expect average highs of 1.5°C. 14% chance of snow."
What to Wear in Chicago in December
Based on historical data for December 20, Chicago typically experiences temperatures between -4.4°C and 1.5°C. We recommend packing heavy coat, scarf, gloves to stay comfortable. Trends suggest it will stay mostly dry (14% rain probability), but checking the forecast before heading out is always wise.
Complete Packing Guide
Weekly breakdown & essential items for Chicago
Smart Suitcase
- Heavy Coat
- Scarf
- Gloves
Average High
1.5°C
Daytime Peak
Average Low
-4.4°C
Nighttime Low
Feels Like
-3.9°C
🥶 Wind chill effect
Snow Chance
14%
Avg 0.9mm if it snows
Snowfall
0.5 cm
~14% chance
Pressure
1019.8 hPa
Medium volatility
Chicago Weather Conditions & UV Index
Weather Confidence
30-year variance analysis
Based on 10 years of data
🎯 This date historically delivers consistent weather 91% of the time. Safe to plan outdoor activities with confidence.
Sun Exposure
UV Index & Safety Guide
Protection Needed
SPF 15 for extended outdoor time
UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.
Outdoor Comfort
How pleasant is it outside?
Dew Point
-2.4°C
Dry air
Heat Stress
Low
No heat warning
😣 Best outdoor time:
Midday (11 AM - 3 PM) when warmest
Travel & Logistics Insights
Local Calendar
Business Day
Standard hours in United States
Flight Traffic
High
87/100 pressure index
Health Advisory
Healthy
Routine only • View Details →
Landing Slots
~1,185
Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)
Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Chicago
Daylight & Sun
Solar Elevation Cycle
🌅 Sunrise
07:15
☀️ Noon
11:49
🌇 Sunset
16:23
⏱️ Daylight
9h 7m
Wind Speed
24.3 km/h
Moderate wind
Sunshine
4.9 hrs
Direct Sun (Cloud-free)
Humidity
75%
Humid / Damp
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Chicago
Smart Flight Estimator
Airport-to-Airport Logistics
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Travel Health & Safety in Chicago
Travel Comfort Index
Real-time tourism conditions
Weather Quality
☀️ Excellent
Tourist Crowds
🟡 Busy
Price Level
💰💰💰 Expensive
Health & Wellbeing
Meteo-Health Forecast
Moderate fluctuations. Some sensitivity possible.
Weather unlikely to affect joint pain.
Moderate fish activity expected.
Air quality is acceptable. Sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Regional Safety Profile
Seismic Activity
Zero seismic activity detected in 30 years.
"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA satellite data, Chicago on December 20 averages 1.5°C with a 14% precipitation probability. Wedding/Outdoor Event Score: 23/100."
— Source: 30YearWeather.com|Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)|View Methodology
Chicago Weather History (2010–2024)
Temperature History
Hall of Fame
Records from last 10 years
Better Alternatives Nearby
Consider these dates within ±7 days
💡 Moving your event by a few days could significantly improve weather conditions
Compare Other Cities
Same date (December 20) in other destinations
🌍 Explore the same date in different destinations around the world
📍 Is Chicago Worth Visiting on December 20?
Planning a trip to Chicago on December 20? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year offers a bracing seasonal atmosphere averaging 1.5°C with a 14% historical precipitation risk.
✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 1,185 landing slots available daily during this period, indicating peak tourist activity.
📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest December 20 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 8.9°C in 2018, while the coldest dropped to -8.8°C in 2016.