If you just looked out your window in the Loop and saw a wall of white, you aren't hallucinating. Honestly, the weather in Chicago Illinois right now is a bit of a chaotic mess. We are currently sitting at 22°F, but if you’re actually stepping outside, that number is a total lie. Thanks to some aggressive northwest winds gusting at 24 mph, the real-feel temperature is hovering around a brutal 6°F.
It's cold. Really cold.
But the cold isn't even the lead story today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The real headache is the snow. We’ve had a series of sudden snow squalls moving through the city since about 6:00 a.m., and they've been turning the morning commute into a slow-motion disaster. One minute you can see the Willis Tower, the next, you can’t see the car in front of you.
The Reality of Chicago’s Sudden Snow Squalls
The National Weather Service issued a Snow Squall Warning earlier this morning for Cook, Will, and Kankakee counties. These aren't your typical "pretty" winter snowfalls. They are intense, high-wind bursts that drop visibility to nearly zero in seconds.
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Basically, if you’re driving on the Tri-State or the Kennedy right now, you’ve probably noticed traffic is at a standstill. There were reports of multiple crashes on I-294 near I-290, and DuSable Lake Shore Drive is a parking lot from Hollywood all the way down to 79th Street.
What's the weather in Chicago Illinois right now doing to the airports? O’Hare had a ground stop earlier this morning that lasted until about 8:45 a.m. As of now, they've already canceled over 20 flights, and delays are averaging about 23 minutes. Midway is doing better, but if you’re flying out today, check your app before you leave the house.
Why the Lake is Making Things Worse
While downtown is getting hit with these "bursts," our neighbors in Northwest Indiana are getting the "firehose" version of this storm. Because the wind is coming off Lake Michigan, lake-effect snow is piling up.
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- Porter County: Under a Winter Weather Advisory until Thursday morning.
- LaPorte County: Under a full-blown Winter Storm Warning. They’re looking at 6 to 12 inches of snow.
- The City Proper: We’re only expecting about half an inch total at O’Hare, but the "flash freeze" on the roads is the real danger as temperatures drop into the teens tonight.
What to Expect for the Rest of the Week
If you’re hoping this is a one-and-done situation, I have some bad news. This is January in Chicago, and the lake is wide awake.
Tonight, the high of 33°F we saw earlier will vanish, replaced by a low of 17°F. The wind isn't going anywhere either. We’re expecting gusts up to 27 mph, which means the wind chill will stay in the single digits or even drop below zero.
Tomorrow, Thursday, looks mostly cloudy with a high of 29°F, but another round of snow showers is likely to hit tomorrow night. Friday might give us a "warm" break at 36°F, but don't get used to it. By Sunday and Monday, we are looking at highs of 16°F and 12°F respectively. Monday night could see lows near 4°F.
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Quick Forecast Snapshot (Jan 14–Jan 18)
Wednesday (Today): Snow showers, high 33°F, low 17°F. Windy.
Thursday: Cloudy, late snow showers, high 29°F, low 16°F.
Friday: Cloudy and slightly "warmer," high 36°F, low 20°F.
Saturday: Drastic drop, high 19°F, low 9°F.
Sunday: Light snow, high 16°F, low 8°F.
How to Handle This Weather (Actionable Advice)
Look, we’ve all been through a Chicago winter, but 2026 is starting off particularly "bitey." If you have to be out in what's the weather in Chicago Illinois right now, here is the expert-approved way to not hate your life:
- Layers aren't a suggestion, they're a requirement. You need a base layer that wicks moisture. If you sweat while walking to the "L" and then stand on a windy platform in cotton, you’re going to be miserable.
- Check the "Snow Squall" alerts. This is a relatively newer type of warning from the NWS. If your phone buzzes with a squall warning, pull over if you're driving. It’s not about the accumulation; it’s about the total loss of visibility.
- The Wind Chill Factor. In Chicago, we don't dress for the temperature; we dress for the wind. A 20-degree day with a 30-mph wind is more dangerous than a 5-degree day with no wind. Protect your face.
If you're a tourist stuck in this, don't just sit in your hotel. Today is actually a great day to hit the museums. The Field Museum is free for Illinois residents every Wednesday in January (including today!), and the Museum of Science and Industry is also offering free admission today, January 14. It’s the perfect way to see the "Christmas Around the World" exhibit one last time or hide in the tropical heat of the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Keep an eye on the lakefront. A Gale Warning is in effect until 9:00 p.m. tonight. Waves are expected to reach 14 to 18 feet. It looks cool from a distance, but don't be the person who gets swept off a pier trying to take a selfie.
Next Steps for You:
Check your flight status immediately if you are traveling through O'Hare or Midway. If you are driving, give yourself an extra 30 minutes for any cross-city trip. Ensure your car has an ice scraper and a blanket in the trunk—it sounds paranoid until you're stuck on the Dan Ryan for two hours.