If you’ve lived here for more than a week, you already know the vibe. Weather in Des Plaines Illinois is basically a coin toss with a sense of humor. One morning you’re scraping a thick sheet of ice off your windshield at 6:00 AM, and by lunchtime, you’re wondering if you can get away with wearing a light hoodie. It’s wild.
Living right next to O'Hare and being hugging-close to the Des Plaines River means our forecast isn't just about "rain or shine." It’s about logistics. It's about whether River Road is going to be a lake by Tuesday.
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The Reality of the Four Seasons (and the Fake Ones)
Most people think of the Midwest as having four distinct seasons. Honestly? In Des Plaines, we have about twelve. You’ve got "False Spring" in late February, followed by "Third Winter" in April.
January and February are the heavy hitters. We’re talking average highs around 32°F, but that doesn't account for the wind. When that Arctic air cuts across the flat airport lands, the wind chill makes 20°F feel like -5°F. You’ve probably noticed that the windiest months are usually the coldest. January averages about 18 mph winds.
Then comes the "Spring" transition. It's messy.
By the time we hit May and June, things get beautiful but humid. June is actually our wettest month, averaging over 4 inches of rain. This is usually when people start eyeing the river gauges. If we get a few days of heavy, relentless downpours, the ground gets saturated, and that water has nowhere to go but the Des Plaines River.
Summer Heat and O'Hare's Influence
July is the peak. Highs average 83°F or 85°F, but it's the 66% humidity that really gets you. It’s that "thick air" feeling where you step outside and immediately feel like you need a second shower.
Interestingly, being so close to O'Hare International Airport actually affects how weather is recorded for us. Most local data comes from the KORD sensors. Because of the "Urban Heat Island" effect—all that asphalt and concrete—temperatures in Des Plaines can sometimes stay a degree or two warmer at night than in more rural parts of Lake County.
Why the Des Plaines River Changes Everything
You can't talk about weather in Des Plaines Illinois without talking about the river. It’s the defining feature of our local climate geography.
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Historically, the river has been a bit of a nightmare for neighborhoods like Big Bend. We’ve seen record-breaking floods in 1986, 2008, and 2013. The 1986 flood alone caused roughly $35 million in damages. Since then, the city has been aggressive about buyouts and levee construction.
- Levee 50: This was a huge project designed to protect the Rand Park area.
- The Big Bend Buyouts: The city has demolished nearly 90 structures to return that land to green space.
- The "Deep Tunnel" (TARP): While it’s a regional project, it’s critical for keeping our basements dry during those massive summer thunderstorms.
The Army Corps of Engineers is currently working on a fresh flood risk assessment through 2025 and 2026. They’re literally going house-to-house to map out first-floor elevations. This helps the city predict exactly which streets will go underwater when the river hits specific stages.
Surviving the Winter "Gray-Out"
The most underrated part of our weather is the "Chicago Gray." Between November and March, the sun can disappear for weeks. The humidity stays high—around 74% in January—which makes the cold feel "wet" and bone-chilling.
If you're moving here, buy the good boots. Not the cute ones. The ones rated for sub-zero temps.
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Snow Expectations
On average, we see snow from late October through April. While some years are mild, we usually deal with around 35-38 inches of total snowfall per season. The "Lake Effect" doesn't hit us as hard as it hits Indiana or Michigan, but we still get "clippers" that can drop six inches in a few hours, turning the I-294 commute into a parking lot.
Practical Steps for Handling the Local Forecast
- Download the "RiverApp" or bookmark the USGS National Water Dashboard. If you live anywhere near the Des Plaines River, you need to track the "Stage" and "Forecast" levels. Moderate flood stage is usually around 18 feet.
- Winterize your car by October. Seriously. Don't be the person waiting in a three-hour line for tires when the first flurry hits on Halloween.
- Invest in a "Smart" Sump Pump. In Des Plaines, your sump pump is your best friend. Get one with a battery backup and a WiFi alert. If the power goes out during a June thunderstorm, you’ll want to know if that pump is still kicking.
- Watch the O'Hare Delays. Since we’re in the flight path, local weather often dictates the noise level and traffic patterns. If there's a "Ground Stop" at O'Hare due to wind or snow, expect the surrounding surface streets (like Touhy or Mannheim) to get backed up with diverted travelers.
Weather here is a team sport. We all complain about it together, shovel each other's driveways, and then collectively celebrate the three weeks of "Perfect Fall" in September when the humidity drops and the leaves turn. It's just part of the deal.