Honestly, Chicago in January is basically a meteorological mood swing. You've probably heard the jokes about the city having four seasons in a single week, but today is a perfect example of why those jokes are actually just facts. If you're looking for the chicago temperature today, you aren't just looking for a single number. You're looking for a survival strategy.
As of this morning, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the air is sitting at a crisp 17°F. That sounds manageable for a local, right? Well, not really. Because of the 17 mph gusts coming off the northwest, the wind chill is currently 1°F. It is the kind of cold that bites your face the second you step out of a revolving door in the Loop.
Why the Chicago temperature today feels so much worse
The mercury says one thing, but your frozen earlobes say another. This is the classic Chicago "feels like" trap. We are currently coming off a wild week where we hit record-breaking highs of 60°F just a few days ago. That warm-up was so intense it literally caused a "rain out" at the United Center because condensation made the court unsafe for the Bulls game. Now, the bottom has dropped out.
Today's high is expected to reach about 27°F, which is actually below the historical average for mid-January. We've spent the morning under a blanket of clouds, and while it might look like a quiet winter day, the wind is the real protagonist here.
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- Current Temp: 17°F
- RealFeel: 1°F
- Humidity: 70% (That "damp" cold that gets into your bones)
- Wind: 16-17 mph Northwest
If you are heading out, the temperature isn't the only thing to watch. Visibility is fine right now, but there's a 25% chance of snow showers moving in tonight. It won't be a blizzard, but with the ground this cold, even an inch of "clippery" snow can turn the Kennedy Expressway into a skating rink.
The January 2026 weather roller coaster
We've seen some weird stuff this month. On January 8th and 9th, we saw almost two inches of rain and record heat. Then, just yesterday, a sudden snow squall dropped visibility to near zero during the morning rush. National Weather Service observers at O'Hare and Midway reported gusts up to 47 mph during that squall.
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This volatility is why checking the chicago temperature today is so tricky. You can't just look at the high and low. You have to look at the timing. If you’re commuting home after 6:00 PM today, you’re going to be walking into a temperature that’s rapidly dropping back toward the mid-teens.
How to handle the current conditions
- Layer like a pro: This isn't just about a big coat. You need a base layer to wick moisture because 70% humidity makes the air feel heavy.
- Watch the sidewalks: We’ve had a lot of melting and refreezing over the last 48 hours. Black ice is a genuine threat on side streets.
- Check your tires: Drastic temperature drops like the one we just had (from 40s down to the teens) cause tire pressure to plummet.
Chicago is currently stuck in a "polar flow" according to recent NOAA discussions. While the West Coast is enjoying a ridge of high pressure and mild air, we are getting the "Hudson Bay low" leftovers. This means we should expect these sub-freezing overnight lows to stick around through the weekend.
Looking ahead at the weekend
If you think today is chilly, brace yourself for Sunday. Forecast models are showing a reinforcing shot of arctic air that could push our lows into the single digits. We are officially in the "frigid" category for the next several days.
Basically, the Chicago temperature today is a warning shot. It’s a return to the reality of a Midwestern winter after that bizarre, record-setting warmth we had last week. The city's Department of Streets and Sanitation is already on alert for the potential evening snow showers, especially since "flash freeze" conditions are possible when that light snow hits the cold pavement.
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Stay warm, keep your phone charged if you're traveling, and maybe grab an extra coffee. You're going to need the internal heat.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the wind chill values if you're planning any outdoor activities this evening, as they are expected to dip below zero after sunset. If you haven't yet, check your vehicle's antifreeze levels and tire pressure, as the sustained cold through the weekend will exacerbate any existing mechanical vulnerabilities.