If you’ve lived around the south suburbs for more than a week, you basically know the drill. One minute you're scraping a thick glaze of ice off your windshield, and the next, you’re wondering why the humidity feels like a wet wool blanket. Park Forest isn't just "Chicago-adjacent" when it comes to the sky; it’s got its own weird, localized personality that honestly catches people off guard.
Most folks think "Chicago weather" and "Park Forest weather" are interchangeable. They aren't. Being tucked away in that pocket of Cook and Will counties means we don't always get the "lake effect" buffer that keeps the city a few degrees warmer in the winter. We get the raw, inland cold.
The Reality of Winter in the South Suburbs
Right now, as of January 15, 2026, it is currently 22°F out there. If you’re heading to the late-night shift or just taking the dog out, it feels a lot more like 10°F. The wind is coming from the south at 11 mph, which sounds gentle until it hits your face. It's cloudy, it's dark, and it’s typical.
Honestly, the "feels like" temperature is the only number that matters in an Illinois January.
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Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, things get a bit messy. We’re looking at a high of 36°F, which sounds like a "heat wave" compared to today, but it brings snow showers. There’s a 43% chance of snow during the day and a 45% chance at night. It’s that heavy, wet slush that makes the drive down Sauk Trail a total nightmare.
Why Park Forest Feels Colder Than the Loop
The urban heat island effect is a real thing. The skyscrapers and asphalt in downtown Chicago trap heat like a giant radiator. Out here? We have more trees and open spaces. It's beautiful, sure, but it means when a cold front from the plains rolls in, there’s nothing to stop it.
- January 15 (Today): High of 25°F, Low of 14°F. Sunny during the day, cloudy at night with a 29% chance of snow.
- January 19 (Monday): This is the one to watch. The high is only 8°F. Yes, single digits. The low drops to 2°F.
If you're planning on being outdoors next Monday, basically... don't. Or at least layer up like you're heading to the Arctic. The west wind will be kicking at 18 mph, which is going to make that 8 degrees feel like something much, much worse.
Seasonal Shifts and the "Fake" Spring
We’ve all been fooled by the Park Forest "false spring." You know the one. It’s late March, the sun is out, it’s 55 degrees, and you think about taking the plastic off the windows. Don't do it. Historically, we’ve seen snow as late as May in this region.
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The Village of Park Forest has actually been pretty vocal about how our weather patterns are shifting. They’ve noted that since 1950, our "extreme" days—those days where it's either dangerously hot or record-breakingly cold—are becoming more frequent.
Record Breaking Moments
Did you know the record low for this area was -27°F back in January 1985? People literally couldn't start their cars for days. On the flip side, we’ve hit 103°F in the summer of '88. We are a land of extremes.
We also deal with some serious rain. June is usually our wettest month, averaging nearly 4 inches of rain. But it’s not the "nice" rain. It’s usually those massive, booming thunderstorms that roll through in the middle of the night and leave half the streets with standing water.
Dealing With the "Lake Effect" Myth
You’ll hear people say Park Forest is too far south for lake-effect snow. That’s kinda true, but also kinda not. While the "snow belts" usually hit places like Gary or Michigan City harder, a strong north wind can push those bands right into our backyard.
When the wind comes off Lake Michigan, it picks up moisture. If that wind is angled just right, Park Forest gets dumped on while Joliet stays dry. It’s a roll of the dice every single time a winter storm warning pops up on your phone.
What to Expect the Rest of This Week
The forecast for the next few days is a bit of a rollercoaster:
- Saturday, Jan 17: High of 17°F, low of 10°F. More snow showers.
- Sunday, Jan 18: High of 18°F, low of 2°F. Light snow.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: High of 29°F, low of 3°F. Cloudy.
It's basically a cycle of "cold" followed by "really cold."
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Actionable Steps for Park Foresters
Weather for Park Forest Illinois isn't just something to chat about at the grocery store; it’s something you have to prepare for if you want to keep your sanity (and your pipes from freezing).
Check your tires now. With the high of 36°F tomorrow and a low of 14°F the day after, the freeze-thaw cycle is going to turn the side streets into ice rinks. Make sure your tread is deep enough to handle the slush.
Service your furnace. Monday’s high of 8°F is going to put a massive strain on older HVAC systems. If your pilot light is acting wonky or the blower is making a screeching sound, get it fixed today. Waiting until Monday means you’ll be on a week-long waitlist while your living room feels like a meat locker.
Watch the humidity. It’s hovering around 61% right now. In the winter, high humidity with low temps makes the air feel "raw." Invest in a good moisturizer and a humidifier for the bedroom so you don't wake up feeling like a piece of parchment paper.
Basically, stay warm, keep an eye on the wind direction—currently coming from the South but shifting West by Monday—and remember that in Park Forest, if you don't like the weather, just wait ten minutes. It’ll probably get worse before it gets better.