If you’ve lived near the lake for more than a week, you know the drill. You check the 10 day forecast Waukegan on your phone, see a nice little sun icon, and plan a lakeside walk. Then, halfway through Tuesday, a wall of gray rolls in off Lake Michigan and suddenly you’re questioning your entire life. Honestly, forecasting weather for Waukegan is a nightmare for meteorologists, and it’s basically because of that giant puddle of water to our east.
The Lake Michigan Mood Swings
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a perfect example of how the "lake effect" messes with the numbers. Right now, it's about 14°F out there, but with the wind coming from the west at 15 mph, it actually feels like -2°F. That's a massive gap.
Waukegan sits in this weird atmospheric battleground. While the rest of Illinois might be getting a standard winter day, we’re dealing with localized snow showers and humidity sitting at a damp 79%. The "current" conditions often change before the page even refreshes.
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The Breakdown for the Next Few Days
If you're looking at the 10 day forecast Waukegan, here is the reality of what we're facing through late January:
- Saturday, Jan 17 (Today): We're looking at a high of 18°F. Expect snow showers throughout the day with about a 20% chance of sticking. Tonight, it drops to 10°F.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Still hanging around the 20°F mark. There's a 50% chance of snow, which usually means "prepare for messy roads."
- Monday, Jan 19: This is where the floor drops out. A high of 8°F and a low of 3°F. It’s that bitter, nose-hair-freezing kind of cold.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: A slight "warm-up" to 18°F. Still mostly cloudy because, well, it's January in Waukegan.
The rest of the week stays fairly consistent in that "very cold" category. Wednesday might see some more snow with a 30% chance as temperatures hover near 29°F, but then we dip back into the teens for Thursday and Friday.
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Why Waukegan Weather is Different
Waukegan is uniquely situated. We aren't Chicago, and we aren't Kenosha, though we're squashed between them. Because the Chicago/Waukegan Regional Airport (KUGN) is slightly inland, the temperatures reported there can be 5 degrees different than what you feel if you're standing down by the harbor.
Earlier this month, specifically on January 14, we saw a morning snow squall that absolutely blindsided commuters. We're talking visibility dropping to 100 feet in minutes and northwest winds gusting up to 60 mph. These aren't your average "it might snow" predictions. These are hyper-local events that often don't show up clearly on a standard 10-day outlook until they are literally on top of you.
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Historically, January is our cloudiest month. We only get clear skies about 38% of the time. If you see a "sunny" forecast for next week, take it with a grain of salt. It’s more likely to be that flat, milky white sky that makes everything look like a black-and-white movie.
Survival Tips for the 10-Day Stretch
- Layers are your best friend. Since the wind chill can swing the "feel" by 20 degrees, a single heavy coat usually isn't enough. You need a base layer to wick moisture because the humidity here stays high (around 91% on average in January).
- Watch the wind direction. If the 10 day forecast Waukegan shows a "W" or "NW" wind, it’s coming over land—expect it to be bone-dry and biting. If it switches to an "E" or "NE" wind, watch out for lake-effect snow that can dump three inches on your driveway while your friend in Libertyville sees nothing but sun.
- Check the dewpoint. If the dewpoint is significantly lower than the air temp (like the 7°F we're seeing now), the air is going to feel much sharper.
Most people get Waukegan weather wrong because they treat it like "generic Midwest weather." It isn't. It’s a coastal climate trapped in a continental freezer.
Next Steps for Your Week
If you have travel plans along I-94 or are heading toward the lakefront, keep a close eye on the "Feels Like" temperature rather than the high. For the upcoming cold snap on Monday (Jan 19), make sure your car's antifreeze is rated for sub-zero temps and check your tire pressure; the 30-degree drop from earlier this month to now will definitely trigger those "Low Tire" sensors. For the most accurate local updates, keep tabs on the NWS Chicago station, which specifically monitors the KUGN airport feeds.