Chicago's soggy start to August puts monthly rainfall in focus
As Chicago is off to a wet start of August, prediction markets are anticipating how much rain the city will see before the month's end.
File: Timelapse shows severe storm blowing into Chicago
Timelapse video shows a severe storm moving into Chicago bringing heavy rainfall, gusty wind and thunderstorms.
CHICAGO, Illinois - After August opened with soaking downpours, summer storms in Chicago could disrupt everything from weekend plans to air travel across one of the nation's busiest transportation hubs.
With heavy rain soaking tens of thousands of music fans at Lollapalooza in Grant Park, August got off to a soggy start in Chicago.
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General atmosphere during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 1, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Chicago is one of the nation's busiest transportation hubs in the U.S., where inclement weather like heavy rain can quickly cause a travel headache.
While O'Hare International Airport often grabs the headlines, prediction market traders are focused on the official precipitation measurements recorded at Chicago Midway International Airport.
According to NOAA's official 1991–2020 climate normals for Chicago Midway Airport, the average precipitation in August is about 4 inches.
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A CTA elevated train is seen on the Loop station during rain in Chicago, Illinois, United States, on July 27, 2026. (Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
After August comes to a close, the National Weather Service will publish its official Daily Climate Report, detailing each day's rainfall and the month's final precipitation total. That official monthly total will determine how the market settles.