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If you stepped outside in Chicago today, January 14, 2026, you probably felt that sharp, familiar bite of northwest winds hitting your face at 25 mph. It’s that classic "Welcome to January" feeling where the lakefront looks like a frozen wasteland and your car takes ten minutes just to stop shivering. Honestly, after that bizarre record-breaking heatwave we had last week—where it hit 60 degrees and flooded half of Naperville—this return to reality feels a bit personal.
But you're here because you need to plan. Whether it’s a commute to the Loop or just figuring out if you need the heavy-duty parka for the grocery run, the weather chicago 14 day forecast accuweather tomorrow shows we are moving into a very messy, very "Chicago" stretch of winter.
What’s Happening Tomorrow?
Basically, Thursday, January 15, is going to be a transition day. AccuWeather and the National Weather Service are both pointing toward a breezy morning with some deceptive sunshine. Don't let it fool you. Highs are only going to scrape 29°F, and by tomorrow night, a clipper system is moving in.
We’re looking at about 1 to 2 inches of snow starting Thursday evening and lingering into Friday morning. It’s not a "stock up on milk and bread" blizzard, but it’s enough to make the Eisenhower Expressway a total nightmare for the Friday morning commute. If you’ve got early meetings, you might want to give yourself an extra twenty minutes. Slippery travel is pretty much a guarantee.
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The 14-Day Outlook: A Deep Dive into the Freeze
Looking further out at the weather chicago 14 day forecast accuweather tomorrow and beyond, the pattern is shifting from "annoyingly slushy" to "actually dangerous." We are entering a two-week period where double-digit negatives aren't just a possibility; they're the schedule.
- Friday, Jan 16: Snow showers continue. High of 36°F, but it drops fast at night.
- The Weekend (Jan 17-18): This is where the floor falls out. Saturday stays around 22°F, but Sunday? We’re looking at a high of 20°F and a low near 6°F. If you’re planning on hitting the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park, dress like you're going to the Arctic.
- Monday, Jan 19 (MLK Day): Frigid. We might not even see double digits for the high. Current projections show a high of 11°F and a low of 3°F.
- Next Week (Jan 20-24): The cold holds its grip. Tuesday looks especially brutal with wind chills likely dipping well below zero. There is another system brewing around Friday, Jan 23, that could bring an "icy mix"—that annoying combination of sleet and snow that turns sidewalks into skating rinks.
Why Chicago Weather is Acting So Weird Lately
It’s been a weird month. Last week, we broke records. On January 8, O’Hare recorded 1.92 inches of rain, smashing a record from 1935. Then we hit 60 degrees. That kind of warmth in January is rare—it only happens about once every five years.
Why? We’re currently in a La Niña pattern that’s trying to transition to "ENSO-neutral." This creates a tug-of-war between warm air from the south and the polar vortex. Right now, the polar vortex is winning.
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According to the Climate Prediction Center, this cold snap is likely to stick around through the end of January. While the first half of the month was unseasonably wet and warm, the back half is looking much drier but significantly colder.
Survival Tips for the Next Two Weeks
When the weather chicago 14 day forecast accuweather tomorrow starts showing these sustained lows, "standard" winter gear doesn't always cut it. Here is the reality of living through a Chicago deep freeze:
- Humidity is your enemy. Inside your house, the air is going to get bone-dry. If you don't have a humidifier, your skin will feel like parchment paper by Monday.
- Check your tires. Cold air makes tire pressure drop. That "low pressure" light is going to pop up on your dashboard tomorrow morning when it hits 19°F.
- The "Icy Mix" Warning. On January 23, when that sleet/snow combo is predicted, salt your walkways before the sun goes down. Once that slush freezes solid at night, it’s basically concrete ice.
- Watch the wind. In Chicago, the temperature is a lie. The "RealFeel" is the truth. On Sunday the 18th, a 20°F day will feel like 2°F because of the gusts off the lake.
The Long-Range Reality
Honestly, looking at the models for late January, we aren't seeing a "thaw" anytime soon. The Almanac and AccuWeather both suggest that while the snow totals might stay below average for the month (thanks to that dry cold), the temperature will stay 2-5 degrees below normal.
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Expect gray skies. Expect to use a lot of windshield fluid. Most importantly, expect that tomorrow night’s snow is just the opening act for a very long, very cold stretch of Chicago winter.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your car's antifreeze levels tonight and ensure your emergency kit (blankets, jumper cables) is in the trunk before the Thursday evening snow starts. If you have outdoor pipes, now is the time to insulate them before the single-digit lows arrive on Sunday night.