If you’re looking out your window in the Loop or checking the cams at O'Hare and seeing nothing but clear sky, your eyes aren't deceiving you. Right now in Chicago, it is actually sunny. The current temperature is sitting at a crisp 24°F, though with the wind coming out of the southwest at about 6 mph, it honestly feels more like 17°F.
Basically, the "Big Snow" everyone's been whispering about hasn't arrived just yet.
But don't get too comfortable. This is Chicago in mid-January, after all. While the pavement is dry for your afternoon coffee run, the National Weather Service and local radars are tracking a shift that’s going to make the evening commute—and definitely the drive home from dinner—a lot more interesting.
The short answer: Is it snowing in Chicago IL right now?
No. Not at this exact second.
The sky is mostly sunny, and visibility is clear across the city. However, we are essentially in the "calm before the clipper." If you’re checking the status of is it snowing in Chicago IL right now because you’re planning to head out, you've got a narrow window of good weather left.
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Forecast data shows that mid-level saturation is already building up across north and northwest Illinois. Meteorologists expect light snow or flurries to develop as early as 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM today, Thursday, January 15.
What’s coming tonight?
The real action starts after sunset. We're looking at a 30% chance of snow during the daylight hours, but that jumps significantly as we hit the evening.
- Nighttime precipitation: There is a 43% chance of snow showers tonight.
- Accumulation: Most estimates suggest we’ll see about 1 to 2 inches by tomorrow morning.
- Wind: Expect the wind to pick up to 12 mph from the west, making those nighttime lows of 19°F feel much colder.
Why the radar might be confusing you
You might see some green or light blue "noise" on certain radar apps and wonder why it isn't hitting the ground. In weather-speak, we often deal with dry low-level air. The snow is falling from the clouds but evaporating before it hits your windshield. That’s going to change once the air moistens up over the next couple of hours.
By about 7:00 PM, the "nowcast" (as the NWS likes to call it) suggests a few hours of steady, accumulating snow. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the Kennedy and the Dan Ryan slick.
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Looking ahead at the weekend
If you were hoping this was a one-and-done flurry, I've got some bad news. We are entering a classic "clipper" pattern. This means a series of small, fast-moving systems will be sliding through the region one after another.
Friday looks even snowier than today, with a 35% chance of snow showers during the day and a high of 34°F. Saturday and Sunday follow suit with consistent, off-and-on snow showers and highs barely reaching the low 20s.
Honestly, the biggest story isn't just the flakes; it's the cold. By Monday, we’re looking at a high of only 9°F. That’s the kind of cold that turns leftover slush into solid blocks of ice.
Real-world impact for Chicagoans
If you're heading to O’Hare or Midway, keep an eye on your flight status. Even an inch of snow can trigger de-icing operations, which inevitably lead to those annoying 20-minute gate delays.
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For the drivers out there, the "flash freeze" is the real enemy. Since we've had a bit of a temp roller coaster, any moisture that hits the ground tonight could freeze solid as temperatures dip to 19°F.
Actionable steps for the next 12 hours:
- Salt your walkways now. It’s much easier to prevent ice than to chip it off tomorrow morning when it's 20 degrees out.
- Check your wiper fluid. You’re going to be using a lot of it tomorrow morning to clear that "clipper dust" and road salt spray.
- Leave early. If you’re heading out after 5:00 PM today, give yourself an extra 15 minutes. The first few minutes of a snow event are always the most chaotic on the roads.
- Bundle up for the wind. The "feels like" temp is going to hover in the teens all evening.
Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the sun while it's still out there.