If you’ve ever lived through a Chicago winter, you know the drill. You look out the window at 6:00 AM, see a dusting, and by lunch, you’re wondering if you need to dig out the heavy-duty shovel or just wait for the wind to do the work. Honestly, the weather here has a mind of its own.
Right now, as of Friday, January 16, 2026, the short answer is: yes, there is light snow in Chicago.
But it's not exactly a blizzard. It’s more of that persistent, light Chicago dusting that makes the sidewalks look like they’ve been powdered with sugar. The temperature is hovering around 27°F, but with the wind coming in from the south at 15 mph, it feels more like 16°F. If you’re heading out, that wind chill is the real story, not the flakes.
Is there snow in Chicago right now? The current breakdown
Basically, we're looking at a 70% chance of snow continuing through the early morning hours. It’s light stuff, but the humidity is sitting high at 81%, so it feels damp and cold.
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You’ve probably noticed the clouds are pretty thick. The sky is completely overcast. According to the latest reports from O'Hare and Midway, we've had "Trace" amounts of new snowfall over the last 24 hours, meaning it’s been enough to see but not necessarily enough to measure with a ruler yet.
What the rest of today looks like
Kinda messy. That's the best way to put it. While the morning started with light snow, the forecast for the rest of Friday shows a high of 35°F.
Wait, 35 degrees? Yeah, that means some of this snow might turn into a slushy mix or just stay as a very wet, heavy "cloudy" day. The chance of precipitation stays high at 74% during the daytime.
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- Wind direction: Southwest at 16 mph.
- Tonight's low: Dropping back down to 18°F.
- The ice factor: Since it’ll be 35°F during the day and 18°F tonight, expect some serious refreezing on the side streets.
Why this winter feels a bit different
If you feel like we’ve been dealing with more white stuff than usual, you’re not crazy. This 2025-2026 season actually had a "roaring start" according to the National Weather Service. By early December, Chicago had already seen over 17 inches of snow—which is almost the entire total for the previous winter season.
Basically, we're back to a "real" Chicago winter after a few years of getting off easy.
Dealing with the "Chicago Slush"
Since it’s light snow right now, the main concern isn’t getting stuck in a drift; it’s the "sneaky slickness." Because the temperature is so close to freezing, that light snow on the ground is melting slightly under tires and then turning into a thin sheet of ice.
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The NWS has already flagged minor impacts for today, mostly just slippery roadways and those annoying "de-icing" delays if you're trying to fly out of O'Hare.
What to do if you’re heading out
Honestly, just wear the boots. Even if the snow is light, the puddles are going to be cold.
If you're driving, the South Side and the suburbs near I-80 have been seeing a bit more accumulation than the Loop lately, so keep that in mind if you're commuting. The wind is the real bite today—15 mph doesn't sound like much until you're standing on an L platform waiting for the Red Line.
Next Steps for Chicagoans:
- Check the Salt: If you have a sidewalk to maintain, get the salt down before the sun goes away, as that 18°F low tonight will turn any wet spots into a skating rink.
- Layer Up: With a "feels like" temp of 16°F, your standard fall jacket isn't going to cut it.
- Watch the Skies: There is another chance of light snow tonight (about 35%), so don't be surprised if you wake up to another fresh layer tomorrow morning.