Right now, if you’re standing outside in Calumet City, it's a biting 15°F. Honestly, that doesn't even tell the whole story. With a 9 mph wind coming off the southwest, it feels like 3°F. That’s the kind of cold that finds the gap between your scarf and your jacket and stays there.
Tonight is looking pretty gray. It’s cloudy, which is basically the default setting for Calumet City in mid-January. We’ve got about a 10% chance of snow right now, but the latest data shows that might bump up to 20% as we move deeper into the night. It’s not a blizzard by any means, but enough to make the pavement slick.
Why Calumet City Weather is More Than Just "Chicago Cold"
Living this close to the border of Indiana means you’re in a unique pocket. People talk about "Chicago weather" like it’s one big monolith, but Calumet City sits in a transition zone. You've got the influence of Lake Michigan just a few miles northeast, and then the flat, open expanses to the south and west that let the wind pick up speed.
For today, January 17, 2026, the high only hit 18°F. We’re looking at a low of 13°F. That’s tight—only a five-degree swing between the warmest and coldest parts of the day. It’s a classic "socked-in" winter day where the sun feels like a distant memory.
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The wind is currently coming from the southwest at 9 mph, but the daily forecast expects it to shift slightly to the west at 10 mph. Humidity is hovering around 67% to 69%, giving the air that heavy, damp chill that feels much colder than a "dry" freeze out west.
The Real Seasonal Breakdown
If you're new here or just passing through, don't let the January deep freeze fool you into thinking it's always like this. Calumet City is a town of extremes.
- The Winter Grind: January is officially the coldest month. The average high is typically around 33°F, though today's 18°F shows we're currently in a bit of a cold snap. It’s also the windiest month, with averages around 18 mph.
- The Summer Flip: By July, everything changes. The average high jumps to 83°F, and it gets "muggy" fast. We’re talking 63% humidity or higher. July is also when we see the most rain, averaging about 11 days of precipitation.
- The Transition: June and September are arguably the best times to be here. The temps hover around 70°F, the "tourism score" (as some weather geeks call it) hits its peak, and the sky is actually clear more than 60% of the time.
What Most People Miss About the Lake Effect
Calumet City isn't directly on the beach, but Lake Michigan is a massive neighbor that dictates the local mood. During "Big Lake" events, we see what’s called the "lake-effect" buffer. In the spring, the lake stays cold, keeping Calumet City a few degrees cooler than the far inland suburbs. In the fall, the lake stays warm, sometimes preventing those first few frosts from hitting our gardens.
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However, when the wind turns, the lake can be a problem. We’ve seen lake levels near record highs recently, which means that during major storms, drainage in the Calumet region can get sluggish. If you’re near the Little Calumet River or the lower reaches of the local harbors, you know the drill: high lake levels plus heavy rain equals a long night of watching the sump pump.
Safety and Practical Realities
It’s currently UV Index 0, so you don't need the sunscreen today. But you do need to be aware of the wind chill. When it feels like 3°F, frostbite can start to become a concern for exposed skin after about 30 minutes.
The city takes this seriously. If you or someone you know doesn't have reliable heat, Cook County opens warming centers at places like the Markham Courthouse. Locally, the Emergency Service Disaster Agency (ESDA) keeps an eye on the "spotter" frequencies, especially since Calumet City has a history of high-wind events. We aren't in the heart of "Tornado Alley," but we’ve had our share of E-F0 scares and 100 mph thunderstorm gusts over the years.
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How to Handle Calumet City Weather This Week
The immediate next steps are pretty straightforward but essential. With the temperature staying in the teens and the wind chill in the single digits, check your tire pressure; these cold snaps cause it to drop fast.
Also, keep an eye on Sunday night. While today's snow risk is low (10-20%), the marine forecasts for the nearshore are showing a Gale Watch in effect from late Sunday night through Monday. That usually means we can expect much higher wind gusts moving inland, which might knock down small branches or make driving a high-profile vehicle on I-94 a bit of a workout.
If you're planning on being out tonight, stick to the basics: layers are your friend, and remember that the humidity means the cold is going to bite harder than the thermometer suggests. Stay warm.