If you woke up this morning and thought you could just brush a light dusting of snow off your windshield and go, you probably realized pretty quickly that today's weather in Chicago is not playing around. We aren't looking at a picturesque "snow globe" day. It’s biting. It’s grey. Honestly, it’s exactly the kind of January morning that makes you wonder why we don't all just move to Arizona for three months.
The temperature is hovering around 19°F, but that number is a total lie. Because of the northwest winds whipping through the city at 17 mph, it actually feels like 5°F. That "feels like" temperature is the only one that matters when you're standing on an 'L' platform. We are currently coming off a wild 24-hour stretch where a strong cold front turned the city upside down, dropping us from the 40s into the teens faster than you can find your heavy parka.
Why Today's Weather in Chicago is More Dangerous Than It Looks
Yesterday was a mess. Snow squalls—which are basically the winter version of a flash flood or a severe thunderstorm—hit the morning commute with zero mercy. We saw visibility drop to nearly nothing at O'Hare and Midway. While the "big" squall has passed, the leftovers are lingering.
There’s a persistent "Clipper Express" pattern happening right now. For those who aren't weather nerds, a clipper is a fast-moving low-pressure system that dives down from Canada. They don't usually dump a foot of snow, but they bring two things Chicagoans hate: powdery, blowy snow and a reinforcing shot of arctic air.
The Lake Effect is Still a Factor
Even though the main front has moved south, Lake Michigan is still "awake." Water temperatures are still relatively warm compared to the freezing air sliding over them. This creates that localized lake-effect snow that can dump three inches on one neighborhood while the next street over sees nothing but sun.
If you are heading into Northwest Indiana or even just driving along DuSable Lake Shore Drive, you’ve likely seen the clouds thickening. The National Weather Service (NWS) has kept a close eye on Porter County because the lake-effect bands have been stubborn.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let's look at what the rest of the day looks like without the fluff:
- High Temperature: 28°F (Expected mid-afternoon, though it won't feel like it).
- Low Temperature: 20°F (Dropping as the sun goes down).
- Wind Chill: Staying in the single digits or low teens all day.
- Snow Chance: Light snow throughout the day (10%), but it picks up tonight (25%).
Most people assume that once the "storm" is over, the roads are fine. That’s a mistake. With temperatures this low, the salt on the roads starts to lose its effectiveness. It creates this weird, slushy glaze that can turn into "black ice" in a heartbeat, especially on overpasses and exit ramps.
A Quick History Lesson
Just to put things in perspective, today isn't even close to the record. On January 15, 1979, Chicago hit -19°F. We also had a record high of 60°F on this day back in 1949. Compared to those extremes, today is just... well, it's just a standard, miserable Chicago Tuesday.
What You Should Actually Do Today
Don't trust the sun. It might peek out for five minutes, but the wind is the real boss today. If you have to be outside, cover your face. That 5°F wind chill can cause frostbite on exposed skin in about 30 minutes if you aren't careful.
Also, check your tire pressure. These sudden temperature drops—moving from 40°F yesterday to the teens today—cause the air in your tires to contract. If your "low pressure" light is on, it’s not a glitch. It’s physics.
🔗 Read more: Channel 4 News Live Nashville Explained: How to Stream and What to Watch
Looking Ahead to Tonight
Another clipper system is progged to drop down tonight. This is part of a "train" of storms. Expect a "thumping" of snow overnight—maybe 1 to 3 inches—which will make Thursday morning's commute just as annoying as yesterday's.
Keep your gas tank at least half full. It adds weight to the car for better traction and ensures you won't freeze if you get stuck in one of those inevitable I-90 accidents. Stay warm, keep your eyes on the road, and remember that February is only two weeks away. Sorta.
Immediate Actions to Take:
- Check the Salt: If you're salting your sidewalk, make sure you're using a blend rated for sub-20 degree temps; regular rock salt stops working well at this range.
- Wiper Fluid: Switch to the de-icer version of wiper fluid if you haven't already; the cheap blue stuff will freeze on your windshield at these speeds.
- App Alerts: Ensure your Wireless Emergency Alerts are ON in your phone settings; that's how those Snow Squall Warnings get to you before you drive into a whiteout.