Weather in Champaign

Planning a trip to Champaign? Check out the latest weather information! In this section, you will find up-to-date data, forecasts, and useful charts to help you plan your time.

The city of Champaign in the USA is characterised by a moderately continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters here are cold, with average monthly temperatures dropping below freezing, especially in January and February. Summer, by contrast, is warm and quite sunny, with temperatures peaking in July and August.

Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with moderate temperatures. Spring sees a gradual warming, whilst autumn brings a gentle cooling. Precipitation is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, averaging 2-4 mm per month, without a distinct rainy season. The number of rainy days is also quite stable, ranging from 8 to 13 days a month, indicating regular but not excessive rainfall.

The climate in Champaign is characterised by distinct seasons with a noticeable annual temperature range. The coldest month is usually January, when the average temperature is -1.4°C, and average minimums drop to -5.2°C. Conversely, the hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 24.6°C and average daily highs reaching 29.3°C. Thus, the annual temperature progression demonstrates a shift from frosty winters to sufficiently warm summers.

The summer months in Champaign, especially June, July, and August, bring warm and at times hot weather. Average maximum temperatures during this period range from 28.3°C to 29.3°C, which can feel quite sultry. Night-time temperatures in summer also remain high, averaging between 18.2°C (in June) and 19.9°C (in July), ensuring warm evenings. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is about 10°C, indicating a noticeable but not sharp cooling of the air after sunset.

Winter in Champaign, spanning December, January, and February, is cold, with temperatures often falling below freezing. January stands out as the frostiest month. In December and February, average minimum temperatures are also negative (-1.7°C and -4.5°C respectively), and daily highs rarely rise high, remaining in the range of 2.5°C to 6.5°C. The winter months also see fluctuations between day and night temperatures, averaging about 7-9°C. In spring and autumn, a gradual temperature transition occurs, with diurnal fluctuations being quite pronounced, especially in March (a difference of about 10.5°C) and October (a difference of about 9.7°C).

In the city of Champaign, precipitation is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, with no distinct rainy season or dry period. The total amount of precipitation is low, indicating moderate moisture levels across all seasons.

In winter, especially in January (average temperature -1.4°C) and February (average temperature 0.4°C), precipitation falls mainly as snow. These months record about 2-3 mm of precipitation and 10-11 wet days. With the arrival of spring, in March, April, and May, precipitation reaches its peak – 4 mm per month, falling mainly as rain. May is the month with the highest number of wet days – averaging 13.

The summer months (June, July, August) are characterised by rains, with precipitation amounts around 3 mm and the number of rainy days being 10-11 per month. September stands out as the driest month, both in terms of precipitation amount (2 mm) and the number of wet days (8 days). In autumn, in October and November, precipitation remains at the level of 2-3 mm, whilst in November, with the temperature dropping (average 6.4°C), the first snowfalls are possible. Overall, precipitation in Champaign most often takes the form of light or moderate rain, and snowfalls during the winter period.

When planning a trip to Champaign, it is important to consider the variable nature of the weather throughout the year. Winters here are quite cold, with average temperatures around freezing and possible frosts, especially in January (average temperature -1.4°C, minimum down to -5.2°C). Therefore, if your journey falls in December-February, be sure to take warm outerwear (a coat or jacket), a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Waterproof footwear will also come in handy, considering the 10-11 days of precipitation per month, which may fall as snow or freezing rain. In spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather is changeable: from cool to moderately warm. In these seasons, the best solution is layered clothing: light jumpers, cardigans, a windcheater, or a mid-season jacket. Don't forget an umbrella, as the number of days with precipitation remains significant (8-13 days a month).

Summer in Champaign (June-August) is warm and occasionally hot, with average temperatures reaching 23-25°C, and maximums almost up to 30°C. For this period, light natural fabrics are suitable: T-shirts, shorts, dresses. Be sure to take sun cream, a hat, and sunglasses. Although the amount of precipitation is small (2-3 mm per month), short rains are still possible, so a light raincoat or a compact umbrella might be useful. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are a must-have, as you will surely want to explore the city on foot. The principle of layering clothing will be relevant almost always, allowing you to feel comfortable with temperature changes throughout the day.