Honestly, if you've lived in the city for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up, check the weather forecast for Chicago Illinois, and then pack three different jackets just in case.
Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is a perfect example of why this city keeps meteorologists on their toes. Right now, it’s a crisp 22°F outside. But "crisp" is a nice way of saying it feels like 7°F because of a relentless northwest wind blowing at 23 mph. We’re seeing light snow showers right now, and the humidity is sitting at 60%.
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The Midweek Slump and Snow Squalls
The morning commute was, frankly, a mess. We had snow squall warnings earlier today that basically turned visibility to zero in spots like Park Ridge and downtown. It’s one of those days where the sky just opens up for twenty minutes, ruins everyone's drive on the Kennedy, and then pretends nothing happened.
The high for today is expected to hit 33°F, with a low tonight of 17°F. We’ve got a 40% chance of snow during the day, which drops to 20% tonight as things clear up into a "periodic clouds" situation. The wind isn't going anywhere either, staying strong from the northwest at 27 mph.
Why the Weather Forecast for Chicago Illinois is Never Simple
People love to talk about the "Lake Effect," but in January, it's more about the battle between Arctic air and whatever moisture we can scavenge from the south. Just last week, on January 8th and 9th, we had this bizarre system that dumped 1.92 inches of rain at O’Hare, breaking a record from 1935. It was 60°F at midnight. Think about that. We went from spring floods to snow squalls in less than a week.
That's the nuance most national weather apps miss. They see a "chance of snow" and give you a little icon. They don't tell you that the northwest wind is going to make that 22-degree air feel like a freezer burn on your cheeks.
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What to Expect for the Rest of the Week
If you're planning your weekend, keep the boots by the door.
- Thursday: We’re looking at a high of 25°F and a low of 14°F. Light snow is likely to move in late.
- Friday: It gets a bit "warmer" with a high of 35°F, but overcast skies and more light snow are the trade-off.
- Saturday: Back down into the fridge. High of 23°F and a low of 10°F.
Basically, the weather forecast for Chicago Illinois for the next few days is a steady diet of grey skies and "light snow" icons.
Real Expert Take: The 2026 Winter Context
So far, this 2025-2026 season has been a beast. By early December, we had already hit over 17 inches of snow—nearly matching the entire previous winter's total in just a few weeks. It’s the quickest start to winter we’ve seen since 1978.
When you're looking at the weather forecast for Chicago Illinois, don't just look at the temperature. Look at the wind direction. A northwest wind in January is a signal to stay inside. If it shifts south, you might get a "January Thaw," but that usually ends in the kind of flash flooding we saw on the 8th.
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Actionable Tips for This Week
- Check the Wind Chill, Not the Temp: Today is 22°F, but you need to dress for 7°F. That’s a massive difference in how fast frostbite can set in.
- Salt Early: With temperatures dropping to 17°F tonight, any slush from today's snow showers is going to turn into a skating rink by Thursday morning.
- Wind-Proof Your Gear: A heavy wool coat is great, but with 27 mph winds, you need a shell that stops the air from cutting right through the fabric.
The weather forecast for Chicago Illinois says the snow will taper off tonight, giving us a brief break before the next round on Thursday evening. Stay warm, keep the tank at least half full so your gas lines don't freeze, and maybe grab some extra coffee. You're gonna need it.