Honestly, if you've lived in the Northwest Suburbs long enough, you know the drill. You wake up, check the window, and basically hope the driveway isn't a skating rink. Today in Mount Prospect, we're looking at a classic mid-January mixed bag that’s gonna keep everyone on their toes. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s definitely not a "leave the salt in the garage" kind of day either.
Current conditions are sitting at a crisp 15°F. That sounds manageable until you factor in the northwest wind at 9 mph. Suddenly, it feels like 3°F. If you’re heading to the Metra station or walking the dog near Lions Park, that bite is real.
The sky is mostly clear with periodic clouds right now, but don't let that fool you. Things are shifting.
The Mount Prospect Weather Today Breakdown
We are looking at a high of 28°F later this afternoon. It's a bit of a climb from the morning deep freeze, but still well below freezing. Humidity is hovering around 62% currently, though it'll likely drop to about 48% as the day progresses.
The real story for mount prospect weather today is the snow potential.
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During the daylight hours, we’re expecting light snow with a low 10% chance of precipitation. It’s the kind of dusting that looks pretty on the trees but doesn't usually cause a pile-up on Northwest Highway. However, as the sun goes down, the vibe changes.
Tonight, the low hits 15°F again. The chance of snow showers jumps up to 35%. While that’s not a guaranteed white-out, the west winds at 10 mph might make visibility a little tricky on the side streets after dark.
What You Actually Need to Know
Most people see "10% chance" and ignore it. In this part of Illinois, that often translates to "surprise black ice." Since we had a bit of a messy transition from yesterday, any damp spots on the pavement are going to stay frozen solid.
- Commuter Alert: The evening commute might be slower than the morning. Those 35% snow showers are timed right when the sun sets.
- Layers are non-negotiable: With a wind chill of 3°F, a light jacket is a mistake you'll only make once today.
- Pet Safety: If it's too cold for you to stand outside in a t-shirt, it’s too cold for your dog's paws on the salt-covered sidewalks.
The UV index is low—only a 2—so you don't need to worry about the sun, but you definitely need to worry about the dry air.
Looking at the Wind and Humidity
The wind is coming from the northwest at 9 mph right now but will shift to coming from the west at 10 mph later. It’s a consistent, cold push from the plains.
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When the humidity sits at 62% in this temperature range, the air feels "heavy" and cold. It gets into your joints. By tonight, even with the snow showers, the moisture in the air stays relatively high for a winter night, which often leads to that "frosted" look on everything by tomorrow morning.
Survival Tips for the Day
If you're out and about in Mount Prospect today, keep your windshield fluid topped off. The salt trucks will be out, and that gray slush film is basically a guarantee on Elmhurst Road.
- Check your tire pressure. These 15-degree dips cause the air in your tires to contract, and that annoying dashboard light will probably pop on.
- Clear the whole car. Don't be that person with a mountain of snow on their roof. Even a light dusting can blow off and blind the person behind you.
- Watch the side streets. Central and Main usually get cleared fast, but the residential areas can stay slick.
Basically, today is a day for caution and heavy coats. The light snow isn't a dealbreaker for your plans, but the "feels like" temperature is the real boss of the day.
Keep an eye on the sky around 5:00 PM. That’s when the snow shower probability starts to climb, and the visibility might dip just as everyone is heading home for dinner. Stay warm out there.
Next Steps for Mount Prospect Residents:
Ensure your outdoor spigots are fully drained if you haven't already, as the consistent 15°F lows tonight will freeze any standing water in pipes. If you are commuting, leave five minutes earlier than usual to account for potential salt-truck delays on major local routes like Route 83.