October 2026 Climate Summary

Overview
Monthly Summary
Events
Additional Information

Overview

Headline: October 2026 Review; Sub-headline: An unseasonably warm and mostly dry month. Chicago (O’Hare): Average Temperature: 60.8°F; 6.8° above normal; Tied 6th warmest; Precipitation: 2.61”. 0.82” below normal. Rockford: Average Temperature: 57.7°F; 5.7° above normal; 9th warmest; Precipitation: 1.94”. 0.69” below normal. Graphic Created: November 1, 2026 11:54 AM CST.

This past October was an unseasonably warm month across the region, finishing as a top ten warmest October for both Chicago and Rockford. The month was also drier than normal across most of the area, with the bulk of the month's precipitation occurring across 2-3 days.

A couple of interesting stats about the persistent warmth this October:

The coldest high temperature observed in Chicago during the month was 57 degrees. This is now Chicago's warmest minimum October high temperature on record. In other words, this was the first time on record that Chicago did not observe a high temperature lower than 57 degrees in the month of October.
Rockford's coldest high temperature during the month was 56 degrees. This was Rockford's 2nd warmest minimum October high temperature -- only ranked below the lowest high temperature of 58 degrees observed in October of 1956.
A high temperature of 60 degrees or greater was observed on 28 out of the 31 days of the month in both Chicago and Rockford. For Chicago, this ties the most 60+ degree days on record in the month of October (previously observed in 1963 and 1971). Rockford's record for 60+ degree days in October is 29 days, which occurred in four separate years (1924, 1938, 1963, and 1971).

CoCoRaHS Observer Monthly Precipitation Summary

CoCoRaHS Observer Monthly Snowfall Summary

Chicago Daily Climate Data for October 2026

Daily high and low temperatures observed at Chicago-O'Hare Airport in October 2026 plotted relative to the normal and record high and low temperatures for each date.

How to interpret this plot

Rockford Daily Climate Data for October 2026

Daily high and low temperatures observed at Rockford Airport in October 2026 plotted relative to the normal and record high and low temperatures for each date.

How to interpret this plot

October 2026 Climate Summary for Chicago and Rockford

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
1151 AM CST Sun Nov 1 2026 /1251 PM EST Sun Nov 1 2026/

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of October 2026 for
Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 70.0 degrees, which
is 7.3 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
51.6 degrees, which is 6.2 degrees above normal. The mean average
temperature for the month was 60.8 degrees, which is 6.8 degrees
above normal. 2.61 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 0.82 inches below normal.

The following daily records were set for Chicago this past
October:
* Record daily high temperature of 88 degrees on the 12th.

The following top ten monthly records were set for Chicago this
past October:
** Tied 6th warmest October on record with an average temperature
   of 60.8 degrees.



At Rockford, the average high temperature was 70.2 degrees, which
is 7.9 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
45.2 degrees, which is 3.4 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 57.7 degrees, which is 5.7 degrees
above normal. 1.94 inches of liquid precipitation were recorded,
which is 0.69 inches below normal.

The following daily records were set for Rockford this past
October:
* Record daily high temperature of 88 degrees on the 12th.
* Record daily warmest low temperature of 65 degrees on the 13th.

The following top ten monthly records were set for Rockford this
past October:
** 9th warmest October on record with an average temperature of
   57.7 degrees.

..................................................................

Chicago's climatic period of record dates back to:
  1871 for precipitation
  1872 for temperatures
  1884 for snowfall
Rockford's climatic period of record dates back to:
  1905 for temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall

$$

Latest Monthly Climate Report: Chicago (O'Hare) | Rockford

Events

No significant weather events occurred in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana this past October.

NWS Chicago Science and Past Events Page

Additional Information

Local Climate Resources:

Main NWS Chicago Climate Web Page
Climate Records and Rankings for Chicago
Climate Records and Rankings for Rockford
Climate Normals for Chicago
Climate Normals for Rockford
NWS Chicago Drought Conditions Briefing Page
Climate Plots for Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana
Latest Monthly Climate Reports for Supplemental Observation Sites:

State/Regional/National Climate Resources:

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