Honestly, if you’ve lived in Chicago for more than five minutes, you know the sky is basically a mood ring. One day you’re walking down Michigan Avenue without a hat, and the next, the wind is trying to steal your soul. Right now, things are looking pretty wild. We’ve had a strangely warm start to the week, but that’s about to evaporate.
The 10 day weather forecast for Chicago is basically a story of two different winters. We’re sitting at a balmy 43°F as of Tuesday morning, January 13, but don’t let that fool you into thinking spring is early. It’s not. The National Weather Service is tracking a massive shift that's going to turn the city into a snow globe by Wednesday.
The Big Freeze: Tracking the 10 Day Weather Forecast for Chicago
You’ve gotta see these numbers to believe the drop. We’re hitting a high of 47°F today, but by tomorrow, the high struggles to even reach 31°F. That’s a 16-degree nosedive in 24 hours.
Wednesday, January 14, is when the "real" Chicago winter wakes up. We’re looking at a 35% chance of light snow during the day and winds whipping in from the northwest at 22 mph. If you’re commuting, just know it’s going to be one of those "sideways snow" kind of mornings.
✨ Don't miss: Weather Forecast Calumet MI: What Most People Get Wrong About Keweenaw Winters
The Snow Doesn't Just Stop
It’s not just a one-and-done storm. The forecast shows a stubborn system hanging over the Great Lakes.
- Thursday, January 15: High of 30°F with snow showers at night.
- Friday, January 16: A weird mix of rain and snow with a slightly warmer high of 37°F.
- The Weekend Sink: Saturday and Sunday are going to be brutal. We’re talking highs of 20°F and 17°F respectively.
By Monday, January 19, the low temperature is expected to hit 9°F. Yes, single digits. That’s the kind of cold that makes your nose hairs freeze the second you step out of the house.
Why This January Feels Different
We’ve actually had a pretty intense start to the 2025-2026 snowfall season. Records from the National Weather Service show that by early December, we had already picked up over 17 inches of snow. That’s nearly the entire total from the previous winter.
🔗 Read more: January 14, 2026: Why This Wednesday Actually Matters More Than You Think
Kinda crazy, right?
Expert meteorologists like those at the Weather Prediction Center are watching an arctic cold front that’s moving through the Mississippi Valley. This isn't just a local fluke; it’s a massive atmospheric realignment. The "staunch ridge" over the West is pushing all that cold air right into our laps.
Surviving the Next 10 Days
If you're planning to be out and about, here’s the deal. The wind is the real killer. With gusts reaching up to 21 mph early next week, that "feels like" temperature is going to stay well below zero.
💡 You might also like: Black Red Wing Shoes: Why the Heritage Flex Still Wins in 2026
- Layer up properly: Don't just wear one big coat. Use a moisture-wicking base, a fleece middle, and a windproof shell.
- Watch the humidity: It’s hovering around 65% to 77% over the next week. That "wet cold" feels way heavier than the dry stuff.
- Check your tires: With snow chances appearing almost every day from Wednesday through next Tuesday, the side streets are going to be a mess.
Basically, the 10 day weather forecast for Chicago is telling us to buckle up. We had our fun with the 40-degree temps, but the bill is coming due.
By next Thursday, January 22, we might see a slight recovery back to 30°F, but it’s going to stay cloudy and grey. Standard Chicago. Honestly, just keep the shovel near the door and maybe stock up on some decent coffee. You’re gonna need it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Prep your vehicle today: Check your tire pressure and refill your wiper fluid before the freeze hits on Wednesday morning.
- Reverse your ceiling fans: Set them to run clockwise at a low speed to push warm air back down into your living space as temps drop into the teens this weekend.
- Download the NWS Radar app: Since the precipitation type is flipping between rain and snow on Friday, you'll want real-time updates before heading out.