Illinois Route 66: From Windy City to Prairie State – A Weather Journey
Hey there, Route 66 fans, Big Mike here, ready to guide you through the weather you’ll encounter on the Illinois stretch of the Mother Road! This leg of your journey takes you from the bustling metropolis of Chicago to the heart of the Prairie State, with a climate that’s as diverse as the landscape.
Illinois is known for its four distinct seasons, thanks to its location in the humid continental climate zone. You’ll experience hot, humid summers, cold, snowy winters, and pleasant (though sometimes unpredictable) springs and falls.
Three Stops, Three Takes on Illinois Weather
Let’s take a closer look at three key cities along Route 66 in Illinois and their weather patterns:
- Chicago: The “Windy City” lives up to its name, especially in the winter. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago experiences lake-effect snow in the winter and cool breezes in the summer. Be prepared for significant temperature swings. It is a major cultural hub and has a vibrant history.
- Springfield: The state capital, located in central Illinois, has a more moderate climate than Chicago. Summers are still hot and humid, but winters are a bit milder, though snow and ice are still common. History buffs will appreciate the city’s connections to Abraham Lincoln.
- Pontiac: This charming town, situated south of Springfield, experiences a similar climate to the capital. It is known for its historic downtown and its association with the automobile industry. You’ll find warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, with pleasant weather in between.
Illinois Route 66: A Month-by-Month Weather Comparison
Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the average high and low temperatures (Fahrenheit and Celsius) and relative humidity in Chicago, Springfield, and Pontiac:
January:
- Chicago: High: 29°F (-2°C) / Low: 14°F (-10°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
- Springfield: High: 36°F (2°C) / Low: 20°F (-7°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
- Pontiac: High: 33°F (1°C) / Low: 17°F (-8°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
February:
- Chicago: High: 34°F (1°C) / Low: 19°F (-7°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
- Springfield: High: 41°F (5°C) / Low: 24°F (-4°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
- Pontiac: High: 38°F (3°C) / Low: 21°F (-6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
March:
- Chicago: High: 46°F (8°C) / Low: 29°F (-2°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Springfield: High: 52°F (11°C) / Low: 32°F (0°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Pontiac: High: 50°F (10°C) / Low: 29°F (-2°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
April:
- Chicago: High: 58°F (14°C) / Low: 39°F (4°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Springfield: High: 64°F (18°C) / Low: 42°F (6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Pontiac: High: 62°F (17°C) / Low: 40°F (4°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
May:
- Chicago: High: 69°F (21°C) / Low: 49°F (9°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Springfield: High: 74°F (23°C) / Low: 52°F (11°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Pontiac: High: 72°F (22°C) / Low: 50°F (10°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
June:
- Chicago: High: 79°F (26°C) / Low: 59°F (15°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
- Springfield: High: 83°F (28°C) / Low: 62°F (17°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
- Pontiac: High: 81°F (27°C) / Low: 60°F (16°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
July:
- Chicago: High: 84°F (29°C) / Low: 65°F (18°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
- Springfield: High: 87°F (31°C) / Low: 66°F (19°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
- Pontiac: High: 85°F (29°C) / Low: 64°F (18°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
August:
- Chicago: High: 81°F (27°C) / Low: 64°F (18°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
- Springfield: High: 85°F (29°C) / Low: 64°F (18°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
- Pontiac: High: 83°F (28°C) / Low: 62°F (17°C) / Avg. Humidity: 78%
September:
- Chicago: High: 73°F (23°C) / Low: 55°F (13°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
- Springfield: High: 78°F (26°C) / Low: 56°F (13°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
- Pontiac: High: 76°F (24°C) / Low: 54°F (12°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
October:
- Chicago: High: 61°F (16°C) / Low: 44°F (7°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Springfield: High: 67°F (19°C) / Low: 45°F (7°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Pontiac: High: 65°F (18°C) / Low: 43°F (6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
November:
- Chicago: High: 47°F (8°C) / Low: 33°F (1°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
- Springfield: High: 52°F (11°C) / Low: 34°F (1°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
- Pontiac: High: 49°F (9°C) / Low: 32°F (0°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
December:
- Chicago: High: 34°F (1°C) / Low: 21°F (-6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
- Springfield: High: 39°F (4°C) / Low: 24°F (-4°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
- Pontiac: High: 36°F (2°C) / Low: 22°F (-6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 75%
Special Considerations for Illinois’ Route 66
- Lake-Effect Snow: Chicago, being on Lake Michigan, can experience lake-effect snow in the winter, which can lead to significant accumulations.
- Severe Thunderstorms: Illinois is prone to severe thunderstorms, especially in the spring and summer. These storms can produce heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, and even tornadoes.
- Freezing Rain/Ice: Winter and early spring can bring the risk of freezing rain, making roads and walkways treacherous.
Big Mike’s Bottom Line: Illinois’ stretch of Route 66 offers a taste of all four seasons. Be prepared for hot, humid summers, cold, snowy winters, and everything in between. Keep an eye on the forecast, especially during severe weather season, and enjoy the diverse scenery and historic towns along the way!
