The weather and climate in Arlington Heights follow a humid continental pattern, classified as Dfa under the Koppen system, which means four clearly separated seasons with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures across a typical year range from about 17 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 84 degrees in July. The village records roughly 36 to 41 inches of total precipitation and about 36 to 37 inches of snow annually, with around 189 sunny days.
Sitting about 25 miles inland from Lake Michigan, Arlington Heights gets less of the lake moderation that keeps Chicago's lakefront neighborhoods cooler in summer and milder in winter. In practice, the village runs a few degrees hotter on July afternoons and a few degrees colder on January nights than downtown Chicago. Lake effect snow bands rarely reach this far west, but system snow from Midwestern storm tracks arrives regularly between November and March.
Season by Season
| Season | Average temperature range | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec to Feb) | 17 to 33 degrees | Snow, ice, wind chill, shortest daylight |
| Spring (Mar to May) | 34 to 66 degrees | Wettest stretch of the year, rapid warming |
| Summer (Jun to Aug) | 62 to 84 degrees | Humidity, thunderstorms, longest daylight |
| Fall (Sep to Nov) | 36 to 74 degrees | Clearest skies, mildest conditions, low rainfall |
Winter
January is the coldest month, with average highs near 31 degrees and average lows around 17 degrees. February carries the heaviest snowfall of the year at roughly 5.7 inches on average. Snow typically begins in November and ends by April. December is the cloudiest month, with cloud cover reaching about 63 percent, and daylight bottoms out near 9.5 hours in late December with only about 3.6 to 3.7 hours of direct sunshine per day.
Practically, winter means salted driveways, ice on north-facing walkways, and higher heating bills. Households moving in January or February should plan floor protection, a shoveled and salted path from the truck to the door, and extra time on the clock for careful footing.
Spring
Spring warms quickly, moving from average highs near 44 degrees in March to 66 degrees by May. It is also the wettest stretch of the calendar, with April and May each averaging around 3.5 inches of rainfall. Daylight climbs from 12 hours in March to nearly 14.6 hours in May. Late-season snow in early April is uncommon, but not unheard of, and severe thunderstorms begin appearing in late spring.
Summer
July is the warmest month with average highs around 84 degrees and roughly 319 hours of sunshine, the highest of the year. Humidity stays elevated through July and August, and afternoon thunderstorms are the most common form of summer precipitation. June is among the wettest months by volume, averaging close to 4.9 inches across roughly 14 rainy days. Heat above 90 degrees occurs several times each summer but rarely persists for extended stretches.
Fall
Fall is the most comfortable season in the village. September delivers the clearest skies of the year, with clear conditions roughly 62 percent of the time, and November is the driest month at about 1.57 inches of precipitation. Temperatures slide from the mid 70s in early September to the upper 30s by late November. For anyone with flexibility, this is the easiest window for outdoor work, home projects, and relocations.
What the Climate Means for Homeowners
- Heating dominates the utility budget from November through March, and cooling drives it from June through August.
- Frost depth requires proper foundation drainage, and heavy clay soils across much of the village make basement waterproofing a common concern.
- Gutter and downspout maintenance matters heading into spring, the wettest season.
- Snow removal is a homeowner responsibility for private driveways and sidewalks fronting the property.
- Mature tree canopy in older neighborhoods such as Scarsdale means storm limb cleanup is a recurring seasonal task.
- Air conditioning is effectively required rather than optional given July humidity.
Moving in Any Season
Weather rarely cancels an Arlington Heights move, but it does change how one should be run. A February job needs floor runners, door jamb protection, and wrapped furniture that never sits exposed on a wet driveway. A July job needs an early start time, hydration breaks, and a plan for keeping electronics out of a hot truck at midday. Our moving company has worked every season across Chicago and the northwest suburbs since 2009, and the crew arrives equipped for the forecast rather than surprised by it. Every job is quoted at a flat rate with full cargo coverage included, so bad weather does not turn into a bigger bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold does it get in Arlington Heights, IL?
January is the coldest month, with average highs near 31 degrees Fahrenheit and average lows around 17 degrees. Temperatures rarely drop below negative 3 degrees, though wind chill can make it feel considerably colder.
How much snow does Arlington Heights get?
The village averages roughly 36 to 37 inches of snow per year, which is above the national average of about 28 inches. February is typically the snowiest month at around 5.7 inches.
What is the hottest month in Arlington Heights?
July is the warmest month with average highs near 84 degrees and the most sunshine of the year at roughly 319 hours. Humidity makes late July and August feel warmer than the thermometer reading.
Does Arlington Heights get lake effect snow?
Rarely. The village sits about 25 miles inland from Lake Michigan, far enough west that most lake effect bands miss it. Snow here comes primarily from larger Midwestern storm systems.
What is the rainiest month in Arlington Heights?
May and June are typically the wettest months, with May averaging around 3.5 inches of rain and June reaching close to 4.9 inches across roughly 14 rainy days.
What is the best time of year, weather-wise, in Arlington Heights?
September and early October offer the most comfortable conditions, with mild temperatures, low humidity, and the clearest skies of the year. May through September is the broader comfortable window.
How many sunny days does Arlington Heights get?
The village averages about 189 sunny days per year. July delivers the most daily sunshine at over 10 hours, while December is the darkest month at roughly 3.6 hours per day.
Is winter in Arlington Heights harder than in Chicago?
Slightly. Without lake moderation, the village typically runs a few degrees colder on winter nights than lakefront Chicago, though it also avoids most lake effect snow bands that hit the city and northwest Indiana.