You’ve seen the forecast. It’s January in Chicago, and Tuesday is looking exactly like you’d expect—except for the parts that aren't. Honestly, if you’re living here, you know the drill. You check the app, you see "Cloudy," and you think you’ve got it figured out. But the weather for Tuesday in Chicago is actually a bit of a sneaky beast this time around, especially with the way the humidity and wind are playing together.
Basically, we are looking at a day that starts gray and ends with a bite. If you're planning on commuting or just heading out for a coffee, there are a few specific numbers you need to keep in your head so you aren't caught shivering at a bus stop.
The Cold Hard Truth About Tuesday's Numbers
Let's get into the specifics. Tuesday, January 20, 2026, isn't going to break any heat records, obviously. We are looking at a high of 27°F. That sounds manageable, right? It’s better than the single digits. But the low is going to bottom out at 9°F overnight.
What most people get wrong is the transition. During the day, it’s going to stay stubbornly cloudy. The sun isn't coming to save you. With a UV index of only 1, those clouds are thick. The wind is coming from the southwest at about 6 mph. That’s a gentle breeze by Chicago standards, but in 27-degree weather, it still finds the gaps in your scarf.
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Humidity and the "Feel" Factor
The humidity is sitting at 57%. In the summer, that's nothing. In January, it makes the air feel "heavy" and damp. It's the kind of cold that sinks into your bones rather than just nipping at your skin.
- Daytime Condition: Cloudy, gray, and flat.
- Nighttime Condition: This is where it gets interesting. We’re looking at snow showers moving in.
- Precipitation Chance: During the day, it's a low 10%. At night, it jumps to 25%.
It's not a blizzard. You aren't going to be shoveling three feet of powder off your lead walk on Wednesday morning. But it's enough to make the roads slick and the sidewalks annoying.
Why the Southwest Wind Matters
Normally, we fear the north wind. The "Hawk" coming off the lake. But a southwest wind at 6 mph is actually a bit of a teaser. It's theoretically "warmer" air, which is why we're hitting 27°F instead of staying in the teens.
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However, because the sky is overcast, that warmth doesn't really translate to comfort. It just means the air holds more moisture. That’s why we see those snow showers popping up late at night. The atmosphere is just unstable enough to drop some flakes once the sun (wherever it is) goes down.
Surviving the Shift: Actionable Steps for Chicagoans
You’ve lived through worse, but don't get lazy.
First, treat the evening commute differently than the morning one. If you are leaving the office or a friend's place after 6:00 PM, that 25% chance of snow showers is a real factor. The temperature will be dropping toward that 9°F low, and any moisture on the ground is going to turn into a thin sheet of ice.
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Second, check your tire pressure. These swings from the high 20s down to the single digits are exactly when your "low air" light decides to haunt your dashboard.
Finally, don't let the "6 mph" wind fool you. Southwest winds in the city tend to tunnel through the Loop. If you’re walking between skyscrapers, that 6 mph can feel like 15 mph in a heartbeat.
Keep your layers tight, expect the gray, and maybe keep a pair of gloves in your pocket for the walk home. It’s a classic Chicago Tuesday—nothing more, nothing less.