If you’ve lived in the Northwest suburbs for more than five minutes, you know the drill. You check the 10 day forecast arlington heights il, see a high of 20°F, and think, "Hey, not too bad for January." Then you step outside and the wind off the prairie—or worse, the lake—smacks the breath right out of your lungs.
Honestly, the raw numbers never tell the full story here. As of Sunday night, January 18, 2026, we’re looking at a thermometer reading of 12°F, but the "feels like" is sitting at a brutal -2°F. That’s the Arlington Heights tax. You pay it in shivering.
The 10 day forecast arlington heights il Breakdown
The upcoming week is basically a rollercoaster of "very cold" to "is my furnace actually working?" We are firmly in the grip of a classic Illinois winter stretch where double-digit temperatures feel like a luxury.
Monday, January 19 (MLK Day)
Expect a high of only 7°F. Yes, you read that correctly. Single digits. The low will bottom out around 2°F. It’ll be partly sunny, but don't let the blue sky fool you; the 18 mph winds from the west are going to make any outdoor plans feel like a survival mission.
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Tuesday, January 20
Things "warm up" to 22°F. It’ll be cloudy most of the day, with snow showers likely moving in overnight as the temperature drops back down to 4°F.
Wednesday, January 21
This looks like our "warmest" day for a bit with a high of 27°F. Light snow is expected during the day. If you need to run errands or hit the Jewel-Osco, this is probably your best window, even with the flakes falling.
The Late Week Slump (Jan 22 - Jan 24)
- Thursday: 18°F high, 11°F low. Mostly cloudy with some light snow at night.
- Friday: 21°F high, 7°F low. A lot of gray. Very "January in the Midwest."
- Saturday: 16°F high, 7°F low.
The Extended Outlook (Jan 25 - Jan 27)
We finish the 10-day stretch with more of the same. Sunday the 25th hits 17°F. Monday the 26th drops the high to 13°F and a low of 0°F. By Tuesday the 27th, we might crawl back to 16°F. Basically, keep the heavy parka by the door.
Why Arlington Heights Weather is Such a Moving Target
Most people think we just get Chicago’s leftovers. Kinda true, but not entirely. Being just far enough inland from Lake Michigan means we don't always get the "lake effect" warming that downtown enjoys, but we definitely get the lake effect snow when the winds shift just right.
Climate data from sources like WeatherSpark and the National Weather Service show that January is historically our coldest month, with average highs of 31°F. We are currently trending well below that average. When you see a 10 day forecast arlington heights il that shows consistent highs in the teens, it means a Canadian air mass has decided to park itself right over the village.
The real danger in these forecasts isn't the snow—it's the humidity and wind combo. At 76% humidity, that cold air has a "damp" quality that seeps through even the best wool coats.
Survival Strategies for the Next 10 Days
If you're heading to a local spot like Mitsuwa or grabbing coffee downtown, layers aren't just a suggestion; they're a requirement.
- Watch the Wind Direction: Monday's 18 mph wind from the west is a face-freezer. If you're walking toward Arlington Heights Road from the west, cover your skin.
- Humidifier Settings: With the outdoor humidity high but your indoor heat blasting, your house is going to feel like a desert. Keep an eye on your hardwood floors; they hate these 0°F nights.
- The "Salt" Window: With temperatures hovering between 7°F and 27°F, standard rock salt (sodium chloride) loses its effectiveness once we dip below 15°F. For Monday and the following weekend, you'll want to use calcium chloride if you're trying to clear your driveway.
Living here means being tougher than the weather. We know the sun will eventually come back, but for the next 10 days, it’s all about the slow-cooker meals and heavy blankets.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent fuel line freeze-up during those overnight lows of 0°F. If you have outdoor pets, bring them in—these temperatures are dangerous for everyone. Stay warm, Arlington Heights.