Best Time to Run in Chicago in February

The verdict: Midday. Subfreezing mornings mean midday is the only reliably runnable window. Layer up and watch for wind chill.

Chicago · February

Run in the midday.

Cold: average high 33°F, low 18°F. Layering becomes the workout. Subfreezing mornings mean midday is the only reliably runnable window. Layer up and watch for wind chill.

Avg high / low
33° / 18°F
Humidity
74%
Rain days
12/mo
Wind
17 mph

What February feels like in Chicago

Sunrise

07:45

Mid-month average

Sunset

18:22

Mid-month average

Time-of-day breakdown

Morning

Coolest, driest air of the day. The window before sunrise is the most reliable comfortable hour.

Midday

Often the warmest few hours of a cold day. If you can only run once, midday gives you the most temperate window.

Evening

Cold drops back in fast after sunset. Tight window — done before headlamp territory.

What to wear running in Chicago in February

The kit for February in Chicago: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a wind-blocking layer for exposed routes.

February vs the surrounding months

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of day to run in Chicago in February?+
Midday. Subfreezing mornings mean midday is the only reliably runnable window. Layer up and watch for wind chill.
What's the average temperature in Chicago in February?+
Average high 33°F, average low 18°F.
How does February compare to surrounding months in Chicago?+
Compared to January (avg high 31°F), February is warmer. Compared to March (avg high 43°F), February is cooler.
Does it rain often in Chicago in February?+
Expect about 12 measurable rain days in February, on average.

Get the live verdict for Chicago

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