Honestly, Chicago doesn’t care about your long weekend plans. If you were hoping for a picturesque, snowy stroll through Millennium Park this Monday, January 19, you're going to want to rethink that strategy pretty quickly. Tomorrow’s weather is basically a masterclass in why this city has a reputation for being "The Windy City," though we all know the nickname actually started with the politicians.
Right now, the city is shaking off the literal weight of nearly seven inches of snow that dumped on us over the weekend. That was the heaviest single-day total we've seen in over a decade. But tomorrow isn't about the accumulation; it’s about the bite.
The numbers that actually matter
The forecast says we are looking at a high of 5°F and a low of 2°F.
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That looks bad on paper, but the wind is the real villain here. We're expecting west winds sustained at 22 mph. When you do the math on that, the actual "feels like" temperature—the wind chill—is going to be hovering in the double digits below zero for most of the morning. The National Weather Service has already slapped a Cold Weather Advisory on the city, effective from 3:00 AM until 10:00 AM tomorrow.
If you have skin exposed for more than fifteen minutes, you’re looking at a real risk of frostbite. It’s not just "chilly." It’s "my face hurts" cold.
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Is it going to snow again?
Short answer: Kinda, but nothing like what we just dug out from.
We’re looking at a 5% chance of snow during the day and a 10% chance at night. Basically, expect some flurries or periodic clouds rather than a full-blown blizzard. The sky will be partly sunny, which is a cruel joke because the sun in January Chicago provides exactly zero warmth. It just makes the ice on the sidewalks glare enough to blind you while you're trying not to slip.
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Why the MLK Holiday makes this tricky
Since it’s a holiday, a lot of people are off work, but the city’s infrastructure is still playing catch-up. O’Hare and Midway are still untangling the mess from the weekend ground stops. If you’re flying out tomorrow, don't just "check the app." Call the airline. De-icing procedures are going to add at least an hour to everything on the tarmac.
For those sticking around the city, the Garfield Center at 10 S. Kedzie is open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM as a warming center. Most Chicago Park District locations (about 74 of them) will be open during their regular hours if you need to duck out of the wind.
What you actually need to wear
Forget your "fall jacket" from the south. You need layers that act like a vacuum seal.
- Base Layer: Get those thermals on. If you don't own them, leggings under jeans are better than nothing.
- The Coat: If it’s not down-filled or a heavy-duty parka, you’re going to feel the wind cut right through the seams.
- The Feet: Waterproof boots with wool socks are mandatory. The slush from the weekend is freezing solid tonight, and sneakers are basically sponges for ice water.
- The Extremities: A trapper hat that covers your ears is way better than a standard beanie.
Actionable survival steps for tomorrow:
- Drip your faucets tonight. With lows hitting 2°F and wind chills even lower, older Chicago bungalows are prime real estate for frozen pipes.
- Check your car battery. Cold like this kills older batteries. If your car struggled to start today, it won't start tomorrow morning without a jump.
- Salt your walk now. Don't wait until tomorrow morning when the moisture from the weekend snow has turned into a sheet of black ice.
- Download the 'Notify Chicago' app. It’s the fastest way to get alerts if the city decides to shut down specific lakefront areas or transit routes due to the wind.
Stay inside if you can. If you can't, cover every inch of skin and keep your phone charged. This isn't the year to play "tough Chicagoan" in a light hoodie.