You’ve stepped outside today in Chicago and realized the air doesn't just bite—it hums. It’s that specific brand of Illinois cold that makes your nose hairs freeze instantly.
Honestly, everyone is asking the same thing: how much snow did Chicago Illinois get today?
If you were expecting a massive blizzard that shuts down the Dan Ryan, you might be a little surprised. Or maybe relieved. While the city has been blanketed in white, today's event wasn't exactly the "Snowpocalypse" some feared. It was more of a persistent, fluffy nuisance.
The Official Numbers for Today
Let's talk hard data. As of this evening, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the official measurements at O'Hare and Midway tell a story of a "clipper" system rather than a monster storm.
Most of the Chicago metro area saw steady, light snowfall throughout the afternoon. We are looking at official accumulations of 1 to 2 inches across the city. Some suburban pockets might have pushed slightly higher toward that 2-inch mark, especially toward the north and west, but for the most part, it’s a "coating to an inch" kind of day for the skyscrapers.
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It’s fluffy stuff. Basically, the kind of snow that's easy to shovel but impossible to keep off your windshield if there's even a hint of a breeze.
Why It Feels Like More
Even though the totals are technically low, the conditions are pretty brutal. The National Weather Service (NWS) has been tracking this arctic front that's following right on the heels of the snow.
- Current Temperature: 19°F
- Feels Like: 5°F
- Wind: Southwest at 13–14 mph
That wind is the real kicker. It’s whipping that 1.5 inches of snow into drifts and making visibility at O'Hare a nightmare for pilots. Even with just a couple of inches on the ground, the city briefly suspended some departures earlier because of the de-icing backlog and low visibility.
You’ve probably noticed the "blustery" tag on your weather app. That’s code for "stay inside."
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The MLK Day Outlook
The snow we got today is really just the opening act for a much nastier guest: the cold. As we head into Martin Luther King Jr. Day tomorrow, the snow showers will taper off into isolated flurries, but the mercury is absolutely tanking.
We’re looking at a low of 6°F tonight. But wait, it gets worse. A Cold Weather Advisory is kicking in at 3 a.m. Monday because wind chills are expected to plummet as low as -25°F.
Think about that. At -25°F wind chill, frostbite can set in on exposed skin in about 30 minutes. If you’re heading out to any MLK Day events or just trying to get to work, today's 2 inches of snow is the least of your worries. The ice under that snow is going to be rock hard.
Misconceptions About Today's Storm
A lot of people saw the headlines about the 6.9-inch record set just yesterday, January 17. It’s easy to confuse the two. Yesterday was the heaviest single-day snowfall Chicago has seen in over a decade. Today, January 18, was the "remnant" energy.
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So, while the city is currently digging out from nearly 8 or 9 inches total over the last 48 hours, only about 1 to 2 inches of that actually fell today.
Actionable Steps for Chicagoans
If you’re reading this from a drafty apartment or a house with older windows, here is what you actually need to do tonight.
First, don't just shovel the walk; salt it heavily. With temperatures dropping to single digits, any melted snow is going to turn into a "black ice" sheet by 5 a.m.
Second, the Department of Water Management is already sounding the alarm about frozen pipes. Keep a tiny trickle of water running in your furthest faucet. It feels wasteful, sure, but it’s cheaper than a $1,200 emergency plumber visit. Open those cabinet doors under the sink to let the warm air circulate.
Lastly, if you have to be out tomorrow, layer up like a professional. We’re talking thermal base layers, not just a heavy coat. The "light snow" of today is turning into the "deep freeze" of tomorrow.
Stay warm, Chicago. It’s going to be a long night.