So, if you’ve stepped outside in Morton Grove lately, you already know the vibe. It’s been a weird one. We literally just watched the thermometer hit 60°F on January 9th, 2026—tying a record from all the way back in 1880—only to have the "Arctic revenge" (as the meteorologists are calling it) slam the door shut a week later.
Honestly, the weather Morton Grove IL residents are dealing with right now is a total case of atmospheric whiplash. One day you're worried about rare January flash flooding—which actually happened last week—and the next, you’re staring at a Tuesday low of 3°F.
It’s exhausting. You’ve probably noticed the sky has basically been a flat sheet of gray for weeks. That's not just your imagination; Morton Grove stays overcast about 57% of the time during the winter months.
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The Reality of the Current Deep Freeze
Let's look at the numbers because they’re kinda wild. After that brief "thaw" where O’Hare recorded nearly two inches of rain in a single day (the 3rd rainiest January day on record, by the way), the bottom has fallen out.
Tonight, January 16, we’re looking at a low of 14°F with a "feels like" temp of 14°F thanks to those 13 mph west winds. If you're heading out to Harrer Park or just trying to grab groceries at the Amazon Fresh on Niles Center Road, Saturday isn't going to be much friendlier. We’re talking a high of only 18°F and a low of 9°F.
The humidity is hovering around 72%, which just makes that cold stick to your bones.
What the Next Few Days Look Like
It’s not just a quick cold snap. This is a sustained freeze.
- Sunday, Jan 18: High of 17°F, low of 5°F. Expect snow showers during the day.
- Monday, Jan 19: This is the big one. The high is only 7°F. Seven degrees. The low? 3°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: We finally see some sun, but it’s a "cold sun." High of 24°F, low of 3°F.
If you're wondering when we get back to that 30-degree "sweet spot" (if you can even call it that), it looks like Wednesday, Jan 21 might bring us a high of 28°F with some light snow.
Moving and Commuting in This Mess
If you’re one of the brave souls trying to move houses right now, Godspeed. Local moving experts often say winter is the cheapest time to move—sometimes up to 30% cheaper than summer—but the logistics in Morton Grove are a nightmare when the snow squalls hit.
The roads here, especially major arteries like Waukegan Road or Dempster, can turn into ice rinks in minutes. Just on January 14, the National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement warning about visibility dropping to a quarter mile.
Basically, if you see the "mostly cloudy" or "light snow" forecast, add twenty minutes to your commute to the city.
Survival Mode: Keeping Your Pipes and Sanity Intact
When the temp drops to 3°F like it will on Monday night, the "Village of Morton Grove Emergency Preparedness Guide" actually has some solid advice. They recommend keeping a full gas tank (don't let it get below half) and making sure you have an emergency kit with blankets and jumper cables.
Also, check your furnace filters. It sounds boring, but when the unit is working overtime to fight off a 7-degree day, a clogged filter is the quickest way to a $500 repair bill.
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Why Does It Get So Windy?
You've felt it. That biting wind coming off the lake or sweeping across the flat Midwest plains. We're seeing gusts regularly hitting 15-17 mph this week. Because Morton Grove is in that "Humid Continental" zone, we get the worst of both worlds: humid, heavy snow and dry, biting Arctic air.
Actionable Steps for Morton Grove Residents
- Drip those faucets: On Monday and Tuesday night, when it hits 3°F, let a tiny trickle of water run in your furthest sink to prevent pipe bursts.
- Salt now, not later: With the snow showers predicted for Saturday and Sunday, get your salt down before the temp drops to 9°F on Saturday night. Once it's that cold, standard rock salt loses its effectiveness. Look for calcium chloride if you can find it.
- Check the Village Channel: Remember, Morton Grove Cable Channel 6 is where the Village authorities post emergency announcements if things get really hairy.
- Watch the "Feels Like": Don't trust the high of 18°F for Saturday. With 15 mph winds, it’s going to feel much closer to zero. Dress in layers—thermal, fleece, then a windbreaker.
This winter has been a rollercoaster, going from 60-degree rainstorms to sub-zero wind chills in the span of a week. Stay warm, keep the gas tank full, and maybe just stay inside on Monday.