Climate and best travel time Illinois
Climate in Illinois: The US state of Illinois has a largely continental climate. The summer are warm to hot. Maximum temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius are reached between June and August. The average warmest month is July. Since the humidity is often high in summer, it can get muggy and oppressive.
The winters are cold. Usually daytime temperatures are around freezing between December and February. But there can also be cold snaps and significantly lower temperatures. Winter nights in Illinois can get very chilly with double-digit minus temperatures.
The southernmost part of Illinois has one milder climate with subtropical influences. Even if the Gulf of Mexico is far away, you can still feel its influence here. The southern tip of Illinois is characterized by high humidity and significantly less severe winters.
Strong winds coming from Lake Michigan all year round are typical of the Illinois climate. They ensure rapid weather changes. It is rare to experience uniform weather in Illinois over several days. The weather can be completely different from region to region at the same time.
Since Illinois has no higher mountains, wind and storm can sweep across the state quite unchecked. Sudden, violent snowstorms in winter are not uncommon. Tornadoes hit the state frequently between March and June.
Best travel time for Illinois: Moderate temperatures are most likely to be found in Illinois in May, June, September and October. Early autumn is more advisable for a trip, as it is less stormy.
Illinois Landmarks
According to ehotelat, Illinois is best known for the fact that President Abraham Lincoln lived here for a long time. Tourists like to come here as the state has a large number of different sights and attractions to offer.
A detour to the Chicago Methodist Church is definitely worth it. The church indirectly has the highest steeple in the world because it is located in a skyscraper at a height of 173 meters.
Museum lovers do not have to worry, because there are some interesting museums to visit, for example the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is a museum founded in 1967 that exhibits contemporary art. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the most important art museums in the country.
Also worth seeing is the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield. It was built by Frank Lloyd Wright. But also the former law office of Abraham Lincoln in the same city, the Lincoln-Hernando Law Office, should not be missed. You should also not forget to visit his former home.
Bookworms in particular shouldn’t miss out on visiting the Ernest Hemingway Museum while on vacation in Illinois. The museum is the house where the famous writer was born.
Elis Cheesecake World in Chicago is something special. This is the largest cheesecake bakery.
Also worth seeing are the round towers of Marina City, such as The Loop, a skyscraper district that is the main business and financial center of Chicago. In Illinois you can also visit the tallest building in the world, the Sears Towers with a height of 443 meters.
Illinois – key data
Land area: 140,998 square kilometers (25th of all US states)
Population: 12.9 million people (2008 estimate, 5th place in all states in the USA)
Population density: 91.5 residents per square kilometer (12th place of all states in the USA)
Member of the United States since: December 3, 1818
Languages: English (80.8%), Spanish (10.9%), Polish (1.6%)
Capital: Springfield (116,482 residents, 2006, metropolitan area 188,951 residents)
Largest city: Chicago (2.8 million residents, 2007, metropolitan area 9.8 million residents)
Highest point: 377 m, Charles Mount
Lowest point: 85 m, Mississippi River
Governor: Patt Quinn (Democrat)
Local time: CET -7 h. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November: CET -6 h.
The time difference to Central Europe is -7 h in both winter and summer.
Postal abbreviation: IL
