Waking up to that distinct "winter hush" in Chicago usually means one of two things: either your neighbor finally stopped using their leaf blower, or the lake-effect machine has finally kicked into gear. Honestly, looking out the window this morning, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, it’s a bit of both.
If you were expecting a massive, city-stopping "Snowpocalypse," you’ve probably been scrolling through too many sensationalized weather apps. The reality of snow in Chicago today is much more nuanced. We are currently caught in the middle of a "Clipper Express" pattern. This isn't a single monster storm; it's a conveyor belt of fast-moving systems diving down from the Canadian prairies.
The Mid-Week Chill Factor
It’s cold. Really cold.
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The temperature plummeted from a relatively balmy 41°F overnight down to a current 33°F, and it's going to keep sliding toward a low of 20°F tonight. But it’s the wind that really bites. We are seeing gusts coming off the lake at over 30 mph. This isn't just "chilly"—it's that raw, Chicago-in-January wind that makes you regret every life choice that led you to standing on a platform at the Clark/Lake station.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has been tracking an amplifying trough digging south into the Great Lakes. This has basically turned northern Illinois into a giant refrigerator with the door left open. While the official "high" for the day might look okay on paper, the feels-like temperatures are firmly in the teens for most of the morning.
Where is the snow actually sticking?
This is where things get tricky. Chicago weather is never uniform.
If you are at O'Hare or Midway, you’re likely seeing flurries and maybe a dusting. The forecast is only calling for a coating to about an inch in the city proper. It’s annoying for driving, sure, but it’s not exactly shovel-worthy for most people.
However, if you have to commute into Northwest Indiana or you’re living in Porter County, it’s a completely different story.
- The Porter County Advisory: There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for northern and eastern Porter County.
- Accumulation: We are looking at 2 to 5 inches of heavy lake-effect snow in those specific bands.
- The Gradient: The difference between a "trace" of snow and "five inches" can be as little as a twenty-minute drive on I-94.
Meteorologists like Rick Izzi from the NWS Chicago office have been pointing out that while the atmosphere is relatively dry, the "lake induced instability" is doing the heavy lifting. The water in Lake Michigan is still hovering in the lower 40s. When that frigid 15°F air hits that "warm" water, it creates convective clouds that dump snow in very narrow, very intense bands.
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Why the "Clipper Express" matters
You’ve probably noticed the snow doesn't feel like the wet, heavy stuff we get in November. This is "dry" snow. It’s light, it blows around, and it creates those sudden whiteout conditions on the highway even if it's not "piling up" deeply.
The "Clipper Express" is a term weather nerds use when a series of small, fast systems hit in rapid succession. We had a brush of snow last night, we have the lake-effect bands today, and guess what? There is another round forecast for Thursday night into Friday.
The AccuWeather team is currently projecting a more general 1 to 3 inches for the entire metro area by the time the Friday morning commute starts. This means the salt trucks are going to be out in force for the next 72 hours.
Real-world impact: Travel and Tech
Honestly, the biggest headache today isn't the snow depth; it's the visibility.
If you’re flying out of O’Hare, keep an eye on your app. De-icing operations are already causing minor delays. It only takes a few minutes of "wind-driven snow" to gunk up a runway schedule. On the roads, the North Side seems to be handling it fine, but the Dan Ryan and the Bishop Ford are seeing those "localized slowdowns" where the lake effect is most active.
Basically, the city is in a state of "contained chaos."
We aren't in a state of emergency, but we are definitely in a state of "don't forget your gloves." The ground is cold enough now that anything that falls is going to stick, especially on secondary streets that haven't been salted yet.
What to do right now
Don't panic, but don't be complacent either.
- Check the salt: If you have a sidewalk to maintain, put down a light layer now. This dry snow can turn into a thin sheet of ice if the wind-driven moisture gets packed down by foot traffic.
- Watch the Indiana border: If you’re heading toward Gary or Michigan City, expect a significant jump in snow totals.
- Batteries and Tiers: With temperatures dropping to 15°F-20°F tonight, older car batteries are going to struggle. If your car sounded "sluggish" this morning, it might not start tomorrow.
- Pet Safety: It’s too cold for long walks. The salt on the sidewalks can also irritate paws—keep it brief.
The big story for snow in Chicago today isn't the volume—it's the persistence. This cold air is "taking up residence," as the experts say. We are looking at a prolonged period where the wind chills will stay in the single digits through the weekend.
Stay warm, stay off the I-94 if you can help it, and maybe finally order that heavier parka you’ve been looking at. You’re going to need it by Friday.