Honestly, Chicago is currently doing that thing where it tries to remind everyone exactly why we live here—and why we sometimes question that choice. After that bizarre January 9th stretch where it hit 60°F and literally rained out a Bulls game at the United Center (condensation on the court, go figure), the atmosphere has decided to snap back to reality. Hard. If you’ve stepped outside today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you already know the vibe.
It’s currently 21°F, which sounds almost manageable until you factor in that 15 mph wind coming off the west. It actually feels like 8°F. And it’s only getting weirder from here.
The immediate mess: Snow and sub-zero slides
We aren't looking at a massive, Hollywood-style blizzard this week. Instead, it’s a relentless series of snow showers and a temperature graph that looks like a steep cliff. Today, we’re looking at a high of 19°F with ongoing snow showers. Tonight, it drops to 11°F. If you’re planning on going out tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, it’s basically a repeat performance: 18°F with more of those annoying, visibility-dropping snow showers.
But Monday is where the "Chicago weather this week" story actually gets serious.
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Monday, January 19—Martin Luther King Jr. Day—is going to be a shock to the system. We are looking at a high of only 8°F. That is not a typo. With winds expected to stay blustery around 19 mph, those wind chills are going to be deep in the negatives. The City of Chicago has already opened warming centers, including the Garfield Center on Kedzie, because this kind of cold isn't just "sweater weather"—it’s dangerous.
Why this week feels different
Usually, we get a big dump of snow and then it’s over. This week is different because of the "clipper" pattern we're seeing. It’s small bursts of snow and massive temperature drops. Take Tuesday, for example. We might see the sun poke out (partly sunny), and the high "soars" to 25°F, but the overnight low stays at a brutal 5°F.
The National Weather Service has been highlighting how fast these conditions can change. Remember that snow squall on Wednesday the 14th? Visibility dropped to 100 feet in minutes. We are in a pattern where that remains a constant threat.
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A quick look at the numbers
| Day | High Temp | Low Temp | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday (Jan 17) | 19°F | 11°F | Snow showers / Blustery |
| Sunday (Jan 18) | 18°F | 6°F | Snow showers / Frigid |
| Monday (Jan 19) | 8°F | 5°F | Partly sunny but brutal |
| Tuesday (Jan 20) | 25°F | 5°F | Mostly cloudy |
| Wednesday (Jan 21) | 29°F | 17°F | Cloudy / West winds 19 mph |
Basically, if you’re looking for a break, Wednesday is your best bet. 29°F will feel like a tropical vacation compared to Monday morning.
The record-breaking context
What most people get wrong about the weather this year is thinking it's been a "mild" winter. It actually hasn't been. As of early December, we had already hit over 17 inches of snow, which was the quickest start to winter since 1978. Then we had that record-shattering 1.92 inches of rain on January 8th—the third rainiest January day in Chicago history.
We are oscillating between extremes. One week we’re tying 1880 records for heat at 60 degrees, and the next we’re watching wind chills hit -20°F. Meteorologists like David Yeomans have pointed out that this volatility is the new normal. Winter is actually Chicago’s fastest-warming season, which sounds great until you realize that warming causes the moisture and pressure imbalances that lead to the "flash freeze" events and snow squalls we're seeing now.
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Survival tactics for the next 72 hours
If you have to be out in this, forget fashion. The wind is coming predominantly from the West and Southwest this week at speeds up to 19 mph. That means if you’re walking east toward the lake, you’ll have the wind at your back, but heading into the city or toward the suburbs will be a literal fight.
- Check your tires now. That 60-degree rain from last week likely did a number on the pavement, and this week’s freeze-thaw-freeze cycle is opening up potholes that will swallow a Honda Civic.
- Layer, don't just bundle. The 8°F high on Monday requires a base layer. If you're waiting for the ‘L’ or a bus, the standing cold will seep through denim in about four minutes.
- Watch the squalls. These aren't full-day storms. They are 30-minute bursts of whiteout conditions. If you're on I-90 or I-55 and the sky turns white, find an exit.
This week is a marathon of cold, not a sprint through a storm. Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent line freeze-up, and honestly, just stay inside on Monday if you can.
Next Steps:
- Monitor the Notify Chicago alerts for sudden lakefront flooding or warming center updates.
- If you're a business owner, keep an eye on the CHIBIZ text alerts (67283) for any weather-related city service disruptions.
- Prepare for a significant temperature recovery toward the end of next week, with Friday hitting a much more "moderate" 26°F.