Honestly, if you looked out your office window in the Loop this morning, you probably thought we were finally catching a break. The sun is out. The sky is that crisp, biting blue that only happens when the humidity is low—currently sitting at a bone-dry 52%. But don’t let that bright light fool you. Downtown Chicago weather today is playing a bit of a psychological game with anyone brave enough to step onto Michigan Avenue.
It is 23°F right now. Sounds manageable for January, right? Except the wind is cutting in from the west at 8 mph, which drags that "feels like" temperature down to a sharp 14°F. That’s the kind of cold that finds the gap between your scarf and your coat in about three seconds.
The Afternoon Lull and The Evening Shift
We’re looking at a high of 28°F later this afternoon. It’s basically the peak of our "warmth" for the day. Most of us are just trying to shake off the memory of yesterday’s chaos. If you were commuting through the city on Wednesday morning, you know exactly what I’m talking about—that snow squall was no joke. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported visibility dropping to near zero in spots like Norwood Park, and while today is significantly calmer, the atmosphere is just catching its breath.
By the time you’re heading home, the "mostly sunny" vibes are going to vanish. We have a 30% chance of snow starting around 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM. It’s a clipper-type system. These things move fast, but they’re efficient.
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What to Expect Tonight
- The Snow Factor: Nighttime brings a 40% chance of snow showers.
- Accumulation: We aren't talking a blizzard here, but most models are calling for about an inch or so by Friday morning.
- The Wind: It’s picking up. We’ll see gusts hitting around 13 mph from the west tonight.
- The Low: 19°F.
If you’re planning on being out late—maybe grabbing dinner in River North or catching a show—just know the roads are going to get that slick, greasy glaze as the temperature dips and the flurries start sticking.
Why This January Feels So Weird
Can we talk about how bipolar this month has been? Just a week ago, on January 8th, O’Hare was reporting a record-shattering 1.92 inches of rain and temperatures hitting 60°F at midnight. 60 degrees! In Chicago! In January! That tied a record from 1880. We went from flash flood warnings and 50 mph wind gusts to freezing snow squalls in the span of a few days.
Today’s weather is actually a return to "normal," if you can call 23 degrees normal. According to the Area Forecast Discussion from the NWS Chicago/Romeoville office, we are stuck in a "northwest flow." Basically, that’s a fancy meteorologist way of saying we’re an open door for cold air and small, annoying snow systems.
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The Weekend Outlook
If you can make it to Friday, things actually look a little better. We might even crack the freezing mark with a high near 35°F. But don't get too comfortable. There’s another Arctic front lurking for Sunday night. That one looks like it’s going to bring the kind of "bitterly cold air" that makes your car struggle to start on Monday morning.
Actionable Advice for Navigating Downtown Today
If you have to be out in the downtown Chicago weather today, keep these three things in mind. First, cover your face. That 14°F wind chill is the real deal, and it will give you a windburn before you finish walking two blocks.
Second, if you’re driving, watch the viaducts and bridges starting around 5:00 PM. With the moisture moving in and the ground already cold, those spots will freeze over way before the regular streets do.
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Lastly, check your flight status if you’re heading to O’Hare or Midway this evening. While an inch of snow doesn't usually shut down Chicago, the combination of "MVFR to occasional IFR flight categories" (that's pilot talk for "it’s hard to see") can definitely cause those annoying 30-minute delays that mess up your whole night.
Stay warm, keep the boots by the door, and maybe skip the outdoor walk at the Riverwalk until Friday's "heatwave."