Honestly, the Midwest is basically a snow globe that someone forgot to stop shaking. If you’ve looked at the midwest weather 10 day forecast recently, you know we aren't exactly in for a tropical getaway. We’re currently staring down a stretch of weather that feels less like a typical January and more like a personal grudge from the North Pole.
Right now, it’s 5°F. But let's be real—the "feels like" is -6°F thanks to a 6 mph wind coming out of the south. It's mostly cloudy, and there’s a quiet 10% chance of snow just hanging over our heads.
The Reality of the Midwest Weather 10 Day Forecast
Everyone talks about "Arctic blasts," but what’s actually happening over the next week is a series of reinforcing shots of cold air. Today, Sunday, January 18, we’re dealing with snow showers and a high of 18°F. By tonight, it drops to -2°F. That's the theme: brief moments of "warmth" followed by a steep cliff.
🔗 Read more: Travis Alexander Crime Scene: What Really Happened Behind the Bathroom Door
Monday is going to be brutal. We’re looking at a high of only 6°F. If you think that’s bad, Tuesday tries to trick you. It jumps back to 18°F with some light snow, but the low stays at -1°F. It’s that back-and-forth that really messes with your pipes and your sanity.
Wednesday and Thursday keep the snow showers coming. Highs will hover between 16°F and 22°F. It’s not "bury the house" snow, but it’s that constant, annoying light snow that makes the morning commute a mess.
Why This Cold Isn't Just "Normal" Winter
By the time we hit Friday, January 23, the bottom really falls out. We’re looking at a high of 4°F and a low of -8°F. Saturday is even weirder—a high of 0°F. Yes, zero.
- Sunday (Today): High 18°F, Low -2°F. Snow showers.
- Monday: High 6°F, Low -2°F. Mostly cloudy.
- Tuesday: High 18°F, Low -1°F. Light snow.
- Friday: High 4°F, Low -8°F. Partly sunny but freezing.
- Saturday: High 0°F, Low -5°F. More snow showers.
What most people get wrong is thinking the snow is the biggest problem. Honestly, it's the wind. On Sunday, we’re seeing gusts up to 20 mph. When it's already 18°F, that wind makes it feel like you’re standing in a walk-in freezer.
The La Niña Factor and the MJO
Meteorologists like Brad Pugh from the Climate Prediction Center have been watching the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). It’s basically a wave of storminess that travels around the tropics. Right now, it’s pushing into a phase that favors "anomalous cold" for the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. Combine that with a weak La Niña, and you get exactly what we’re seeing: a suppressed storm track and Arctic air that just won't leave.
The NWS Weather Prediction Center is also highlighting a "deep troughing" pattern. This is why the Upper Midwest is seeing lows below -10°F in some spots. It’s not just one storm; it’s a pattern that’s locked in.
Navigating the Next Week
Looking toward the end of this 10-day window, Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27 offer a tiny bit of relief. We might see 16°F again. I know, 16°F shouldn't feel like a relief, but after a 0°F Saturday, it’ll feel like a heatwave.
The humidity is staying pretty high, around 70% to 80% most days. That "wet cold" tends to soak right into your bones.
If you're planning on traveling, Tuesday and Wednesday are the trickiest. We have a 20% to 35% chance of snow those nights. It’s light snow, but in the Midwest, that's often enough to glaze the overpasses.
Practical Steps to Survive the Snap
- Check your tire pressure. This kind of cold makes it drop fast.
- Keep the cabinet doors open under your sinks. -8°F is no joke for plumbing.
- Salt the driveway before the Tuesday night snow. It prevents that bottom layer of ice from bonding to the concrete.
The midwest weather 10 day forecast shows that we’re in the thick of it. There’s no big thaw on the horizon yet, so keep the heavy coat handy.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent fuel line freeze-up during those sub-zero nights. Check on neighbors who might struggle with the cold, especially during the Friday to Saturday dip when temperatures stay in the single digits or lower. Stay updated with the NWS for any sudden snow squall warnings that can drop visibility to near zero in minutes.