Is today a good day for stand-up paddleboarding in Chicago?
Today is not the day.
Not safe for paddleboarding today. It is the gusts rather than the wind — Force 5 at times. Out of season for it, whatever the weather does.
Not today14/100
7-day outlook for stand-up paddleboarding in Chicago
Best day looks like Saturday at 35/100.
Why this score?
Data from Open-Meteo, and Open-Meteo Marine for waves and sea temperature. Last updated 21:31 UTC.
Stand-up paddleboarding in Chicago, month by month
Winds average 20 km/h in February, the windiest month, and 14 km/h in July, the calmest. Waves on the open water are biggest in January (the day's highest averages 0.8 m) and smallest in July (0.4 m). Daytime highs peak at 28°C in July and fall to 1°C in January. April is the wettest month, with about 14 days of 1 mm or more; November is the driest, with about 6.
Our seasonal guide puts stand-up paddleboarding in season from April to October.
| Month | Average wind (km/h) | Wave height, open water (m) | Daytime high (°C) | Rainy days (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 0.8 | 1 | 10 |
| February | 20 | 0.8 | 3 | 8 |
| March | 20 | 0.7 | 9 | 11 |
| April (in season) | 19 | 0.7 | 14 | 14 |
| May (in season) | 17 | 0.6 | 20 | 12 |
| June (in season) | 16 | 0.5 | 27 | 11 |
| July (in season) | 14 | 0.4 | 28 | 12 |
| August (in season) | 14 | 0.5 | 27 | 10 |
| September (in season) | 16 | 0.6 | 24 | 9 |
| October (in season) | 19 | 0.8 | 17 | 13 |
| November | 19 | 0.8 | 11 | 6 |
| December | 17 | 0.8 | 5 | 9 |
In season, by our seasonal guide
Averages of daily weather 2020 to 2024 and of waves 2022 to 2024, from ERA5 reanalysis data (about 25 km resolution; waves are measured on open water, not at the shore). Water temperature is not available for this water, so it is not shown. Not a forecast.
About stand-up paddleboarding in Chicago
On Lake Michigan — 26 miles of public lakefront, a famous summer running culture, and proper winters.
Go Daisy scores 38 activities for Chicago, including running, cycling, urban exploring, photography, outdoor yoga. The score for stand-up paddleboarding updates hourly from the same weather data professional services use.
Also today in Chicago
Other good places for stand-up paddleboarding today
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Score for stand-up paddleboarding in Chicago updated hourly. Free, ad-free. Built by independent makers in the UK and Asturias, Spain.
Weather data from Open-Meteo.