Barometric pressure in Chicago, IL today
30.12 inHg
1020.1 hPa (mb)
- 3-hour change
- -1.7 hPa (-0.05 inHg)
- 24-hour range
- 30.12 inHg / 1020.1 hPa to 30.20 inHg / 1022.8 hPa
- Station (absolute) pressure
- 29.49 inHg / 998.7 hPa
- Observed
- 2:51 PM CST · Chicago/O'Hare Intl, IL, US (KORD)
Chicago at a glance
How elevation shapes the reading in Chicago
Chicago is about 587 ft (179 m) above sea level. That is close to sea level, so the pressure you stand in and the sea-level figure in the forecast are nearly the same.
The reading above is the altimeter setting from Chicago/O'Hare Intl (KORD), 26 km (16 mi) from the city center. It is the station’s measured pressure corrected to sea level, which is the number weather reports, apps and TV forecasts use, so you can compare Chicago with any other city.
Chicago elevation and what it means · Sea-level vs station pressure
| Elevation | 587 ft · 179 m |
|---|---|
| Weather station | Chicago/O'Hare Intl (KORD) |
| Station elevation | 663 ft · 202 m |
| Standard air pressure at this elevation | 29.29 inHg · 992 hPa |
| Air pressure vs sea level | 98% |
| Water boils at | 210.9 °F · 99.4 °C |
| Time zone | America/Chicago |
Reading the barometer
What today’s pressure means for Chicago
High: above 30.20 inHg
Above about 1023 hPa. Sinking air under high pressure usually brings clear skies, light winds and, in winter, colder nights.
Normal: 29.80 – 30.20 inHg
About 1009–1023 hPa. Weather can go either way, so the 3-hour trend is the better guide.
Low: below 29.80 inHg
Below about 1009 hPa. Rising air under low pressure builds clouds; expect wind and rain, especially if the pressure keeps falling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the barometric pressure in Chicago today?
The live reading at the top of this page is the latest sea-level pressure reported by Chicago/O'Hare Intl (KORD), 26 km (16 mi) from the city center. It updates about every 10 minutes; the graph shows the last 24 hours.
What is normal barometric pressure in Chicago?
Weather reports for Chicago use sea-level pressure, so “normal” is the same as anywhere: about 29.92 inHg (1013 hPa), with most days between 29.60 and 30.30 inHg (1002–1026 hPa). Readings above 30.20 inHg are high pressure; below 29.80 inHg is low pressure.
Why does a barometer in Chicago read lower than the forecast?
Chicago is close to sea level (about 587 ft), so absolute and sea-level pressure differ by only about 0.63 inHg (21 hPa). A larger gap usually means the barometer needs to be calibrated against the reading on this page.
Is the pressure in Chicago rising or falling?
See the trend badge under the reading: it compares the latest report with the one three hours earlier. Falling pressure usually means clouds, wind or rain on the way; rising pressure means clearing and more settled weather.