🇺🇸 New Orleans vs 🇺🇸 Chicago
Weather Comparison
Current Weather Right Now
🇺🇸
New Orleans
65°F
Overcast Clouds
Feels like 65°F
H 67°F / L 64°F
Humidity: 80%
🇺🇸
Chicago
52°F
Few Clouds
Feels like 49°F
H 54°F / L 50°F
Humidity: 39%
Climate Overview
New Orleans
New Orleans below sea level in the Mississippi Delta has one of America's most extreme weather environments. The city is surrounded by water — the Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Gulf of Mexico — creating persistent intense humidity. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 catastrophically flooded 80% of the city, reshaping the climate risk consciousness of everyone here.
Chicago
Humid continental — cold harsh winters, hot humid summers, severe storms
Chicago lives up to its Windy City nickname. Lake Michigan creates its own microclimate — cooler summers and heavier lake-effect snow in winter. Summers are warm but brief; winters are among the harshest of any major American city.
Seasonal Comparison
| Season | 🇺🇸 New Orleans | 🇺🇸 Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | — | 35–65°F March–May |
| Summer | — | 70–84°F June–August |
| Fall | — | 45–68°F September–November |
| Winter | — | 17–32°F December–February |
New Orleans vs Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Orleans or Chicago have better weather?
New Orleans and Chicago have very different climates. New Orleans below sea level in the Mississippi Delta has one of America's most extreme weather envir Chicago: Humid continental — cold harsh winters, hot humid summers, severe storms. The best city depends on your preferred season and temperature range.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans vs Chicago?
Best time for New Orleans: spring and fall. Best time for Chicago: May, June, September.