Is Chicago sunnier than Madison?

Madison is the sunnier: about 2,236 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,095 — a difference of 141 hours.

Which is warmer, Chicago or Madison?

Chicago is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 15°C (59°F) versus 13°C.

Which is better in winter (November–February), Chicago or Madison?

They are close in the November–February window: Chicago averages 0/100 (about 2°C days), Madison 0/100 (about 1°C).

Chicago vs Madison: which is sunnier?

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 174 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Madison is the sunnier overall: about 2,236 hours of sunshine a year to Chicago's 2,095. Chicago has the higher Sunshine Score in 3 of 12 months, Madison in 1 (8 within 2 points).

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Chicago	Madison
Sunshine hours / year	2,095	2,236
Sunniest month	September (75/100)	September (75/100)
Nov–Feb average score	0/100	0/100
Jun–Aug average score	72/100	71/100
Rain / year	984 mm	970 mm
Peak midday UV	7 (high)	7 (high)

Chicago vs Madison month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm
Month	Chicago	Madison	Chicago	Madison	Chicago	Madison
January	0	0	-1°	-3°	44	36
February	0	0	1°	-1°	51	41
March	0	0	7°	6°	63	59
April	43	37	15°	14°	95	98
May	69	72	21°	20°	120	109
June	70	67	26°	25°	112	134
July	73	73	29°	28°	100	102
August	72	72	28°	27°	106	111
September	75	75	24°	23°	87	93
October	50	45	16°	15°	91	80
November	0	0	8°	7°	58	56
December	0	0	1°	-1°	57	51

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr Chicago · May Madison · Jun Chicago · Jul even · Aug even · Sep even · Oct Chicago · Nov even · Dec even.

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Chicago averages 0/100, Madison 0/100. Daytime highs are similar (2°C vs 1°C). See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: too close to call — Chicago averages 37/100, Madison 36/100. Daytime highs are similar (14°C vs 13°C).
June–August: too close to call — Chicago averages 72/100, Madison 71/100. Daytime highs are similar (28°C vs 27°C).
September–October: Chicago (average score 63/100 vs 60). Daytime highs are similar (20°C vs 19°C).

Full month-by-month guides: Chicago weather by month · Madison weather by month · Best time to visit United States.

More comparisons: Chicago vs Milwaukee · Chicago vs South Bend · Chicago vs Peoria · Madison vs Milwaukee · Madison vs Green Bay · Madison vs Rochester · all head-to-heads