If you just looked at your phone and saw the chicago temperature high today, you're probably wondering if you can finally ditch the heavy parka or if the wind off the lake is about to ruin your afternoon. It's January 17th. In Chicago, that usually means a coin flip between "bitterly cold" and "surprisingly manageable." Today, we’re looking at a high that’s hovering right around 31 degrees Fahrenheit. That sounds decent, honestly. It’s a lot better than the sub-zero wind chills we’ve dealt with in recent years during the infamous "Polar Vortex" stretches, but 31 degrees in the Windy City isn't just 31 degrees. It never is.
Why the Chicago Temperature High Today Feels Different
There is a massive difference between a 31-degree day in the suburbs and 31 degrees standing on the corner of Wacker and Michigan Avenue. The "Lake Effect" is a real thing, and it doesn't just bring snow. It brings that damp, bone-chilling humidity that makes a modest chicago temperature high today feel like it’s ten degrees colder than the thermometer says.
National Weather Service (NWS) data for the Chicago area often pulls from O'Hare International Airport. That's the official reading. But if you’re in the Loop, the skyscrapers create wind tunnels that can knock the "feels like" temperature down significantly. This is the microclimate reality of the city. You might walk out of your apartment in Lincoln Park feeling fine, but by the time you hit the Red Line platform, you're shivering. It’s because the city’s architecture literally changes the weather.
The Science of the "Feels Like" Factor
Meteorologists call it the Apparent Temperature. It’s a calculation that combines the actual air temperature with wind speed. Today, with winds coming out of the West/Northwest at about 10 to 15 miles per hour, that 31-degree high is going to feel more like 22 or 23 degrees.
Why does this matter? Because your body loses heat through convection. The faster the air moves across your skin, the faster it carries away your body heat. In a city where buildings funnel that air into high-velocity streams, you have to dress for the wind, not the number on the screen.
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Historical Context: Is This Normal for Mid-January?
If you feel like it should be colder, you aren't wrong. Historically, the average high for mid-January in Chicago is right around 32 degrees. We are basically sitting exactly on the average today. But "average" in Chicago is a moving target.
Remember 1982? On January 17th of that year, the city hit a record low of -27 degrees. Compare that to today's chicago temperature high today and suddenly 31 degrees feels like a tropical vacation. On the flip side, we’ve had years where January sees a random 50-degree day that brings everyone out to the lakefront path in shorts, which, let’s be real, is always a bit premature.
Chicago’s weather is dictated by its position at the crossroads of different air masses. We get the dry, frigid air coming down from Canada and the moist, warmer air pushing up from the Gulf of Mexico. When they fight, we get the mess. Today, the Canadian air is winning just enough to keep us brisk, but not enough to lock the city in a deep freeze.
Navigating the City in This Weather
If you’re heading out, don’t trust the sun. It’s out today, which is a nice change from the "perma-gray" sky that usually blankets the city from November to March. But sun in January is a lie. It doesn't provide warmth; it just makes the ice glare worse when you're driving on I-90.
- The Commuter Strategy: If you take the "L," remember that the heat lamps on the platforms are hit or miss. Stand directly under them if they're on, but don't count on it.
- Pedway Life: If you work downtown, today is a great day to utilize the Chicago Pedway. It’s that underground system of tunnels and walkways that connects over 40 blocks in the central business district. You can get from the Daley Center to Macy’s without ever feeling the 31-degree air.
- Driving Hazards: Watch for "black ice" on the bridges over the Chicago River. Since those surfaces are exposed to air from both above and below, they freeze much faster than the regular roads. Even with a chicago temperature high today near freezing, those bridges stay slick.
What to Wear (The Local Pro-Tip)
Forget the heavy down jacket if you're going to be walking a lot. You’ll overheat and sweat, and then you’ll freeze the moment you stop. The trick is a wool base layer. Wool stays warm even if it gets a little damp. Throw a windproof shell over a sweater, and you’re golden. Also, cover your ears. The wind coming off the lake today is sharp enough to cause actual pain if you’re outside for more than 15 minutes without a hat or hood.
The Impact on Local Business and Events
Weather like this—hovering right at freezing—is actually the busiest time for local coffee shops and diners. When it’s -20, people stay home. When it’s 31, people go out, but they need a place to warm up every few blocks.
If you’re planning on hitting up the ice rink at Millennium Park or the Maggie Daley Ribbon, today is actually near-perfect. Ice rinks struggle when it gets too warm (the ice gets "soft" and slow) or too cold (the ice gets brittle and the skaters' faces freeze). A chicago temperature high today of 31 is the sweet spot for outdoor skating. Just make sure to book your reservation online ahead of time; these spots fill up fast on "mild" winter days.
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Looking Ahead: The 24-Hour Outlook
While the high is 31, the temperature will start to drop pretty sharply once the sun goes down around 4:45 PM. By 8:00 PM, we’ll be looking at mid-20s. If you have dinner plans in the West Loop or River North, the walk from the parking garage is going to feel significantly more aggressive than the walk to lunch was.
Humidity is sitting around 65%, which is high enough to make the air feel "heavy." We aren't expecting any major precipitation today, though a few stray flurries aren't out of the question as the sun sets and the air cools. The barometer is steady, so no massive pressure-headaches on the horizon for those sensitive to the weather changes.
Actionable Steps for Today
- Check the Wind Chill: Always look at the "RealFeel" or "Wind Chill" index on your weather app before leaving. The 31-degree chicago temperature high today is the scientific measurement, but the wind chill is the one that actually determines if you get frostnip.
- Humidify Your Home: Winter air in Chicago is notoriously dry indoors because of central heating. If your skin feels tight or your nose is dry, get a humidifier running today.
- Car Maintenance: Check your tire pressure. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, your tires can lose 1-2 pounds of pressure. If you haven't checked them since the last warm spell, they’re likely low.
- Layering: Wear a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating middle layer (fleece or wool), and a wind-blocking outer layer. This allows you to dump heat if the CTA bus is sweltering but stay protected on the sidewalk.
- Pet Safety: Even if it’s "only" 31 degrees, salt on the sidewalks can irritate your dog’s paws. Use booties or a paw balm like Musher’s Secret if you’re taking a long walk through the neighborhood.
Chicagoans are a hardy bunch. We brag about the cold like it’s a badge of honor. Today isn't a day for the record books, but it’s a day that requires a bit of strategy to navigate comfortably. Stay warm, watch your step on the icy patches, and enjoy the sun while it lasts.