Halloween 2026 To Be Mild, Not Record Warm

Trick-or-treaters in the Chicago area can expect a mild Halloween evening, with temperatures reaching 70 degrees on Saturday, October 31. The National Weather Service Chicago reports that warm conditions will persist through the week, though the day will not break the regional record for the warmest Halloween on record.

According to current forecasts, highs in the 70s are expected from Monday through Friday. Thursday will mark the peak of the heat wave, with a high of 79 degrees. The warmth continues into the weekend, keeping the temperature at a comfortable 70 degrees for children walking the streets on Halloween night.

Precipitation remains a minor concern for residents. A 20 percent chance of showers is forecast for Thursday before 1 p.m. The likelihood of rain increases slightly on Friday. On Halloween itself, there is a chance of showers, prompting the weather service to advise candy seekers to monitor the forecast as the day progresses.

The 70-degree high on October 31 is notable, but it falls short of the extreme heat recorded in 1950. Weather service data indicates that the warmest Halloween ever observed in Chicago reached 84 degrees that year. This year's forecast suggests a pleasant evening that will not rival that mid-century benchmark.

Rain on Halloween is not an anomaly. Measurable precipitation occurs on 35 percent of Halloweens, according to historical data from the weather service. The wettest Halloween on record took place in 1994, when 2.26 inches of rain fell. Residents should expect a higher likelihood of dry conditions this year, given the current forecast patterns.

In the Joliet area, the week begins with mostly sunny skies and a high near 64 degrees on Monday. Northeast winds will blow around 10 mph, with gusts reaching 15 mph. By Tuesday, conditions turn partly sunny with a high near 70 degrees. Wednesday brings mostly sunny skies and a high of 72 degrees, with south southwest winds between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday features a partly sunny sky and a high near 75 degrees. The week ends on Friday with partly sunny conditions and a high of 72 degrees. Low temperatures will range from the upper 40s on Monday night to the mid-50s on Thursday night, offering a consistent pattern of mild autumn weather.