Honestly, if you stepped outside in Chicago today, you’d be forgiven for checking the calendar twice. We are deep into January, a month that usually involves us questioning our life choices while scraping ice off a windshield at 6 AM. But the chicago weather forecast this week has been anything but typical.
Just a few days ago, people were walking around in light jackets as the city hit a record-tying 60 degrees. Then, the sky opened up. We didn’t get a gentle snowfall; we got a deluge that was actually the third-rainiest January day in Chicago's recorded history. It was so bizarre it actually forced the Bulls to postpone a game because the United Center court was literally sweating from the humidity.
💡 You might also like: Driving age in England: What most people get wrong about getting behind the wheel
What’s actually happening with the chicago weather forecast this week?
Right now, we are in the middle of a massive temperature "correction." After that unseasonable warmth, reality is setting back in. For Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the daytime high is hitting 33°F, but don't let that fool you. By tonight, we are looking at a low of 16°F.
The wind is also coming back with a vengeance. We’ve got northwest winds hitting speeds of 25 mph today. If you’re heading out, that 33-degree high is going to feel significantly sharper. Most of the day will be a messy mix of rain and snow. There’s about a 30% chance of precipitation during the day, which basically means everything is going to be slushy, gray, and generally annoying.
By tonight, things quiet down a bit. The clouds should break up, leaving us partly cloudy as that temperature drops into the teens. Humidity is sitting around 59% today, a far cry from the 81% we saw earlier this morning during the overnight hours.
The whiplash of January 2026
It’s been a weird month for the Midwest. Meteorologists like David Yeomans have pointed out that winter is actually Chicago’s fastest-warming season. We’re seeing these high-intensity storm events more frequently. Just last week, the 1.92 inches of rain at O’Hare shattered the previous daily record from 1935.
🔗 Read more: Short Boxed Beard Style: Why It’s the Only Corporate-Safe Look That Actually Looks Good
Basically, the traditional "frozen tundra" vibe of Chicago is being replaced by these wild swings between record heat and flash flooding. It makes planning your week a total nightmare. One day you need an umbrella and a raincoat; the next, you’re digging out the heavy-duty parka because the wind chill is biting.
The weekend outlook and beyond
Looking at the rest of the chicago weather forecast this week, the trend seems to be "cold but stable." After the slush clears out today, we are heading into a stretch where temperatures will likely hover around the seasonal averages.
- Wednesday: High of 33°F, Low of 16°F. Blustery with a 30% chance of snow/rain.
- Thursday and Friday: Expect the chill to linger. We aren't seeing any immediate return to those 60-degree highs, which is probably for the best if we want the ground to actually stay solid.
- The Wind Factor: Always watch the direction. Northwest winds this time of year are the ones that really bring that "Hawk" wind Chicago is famous for.
James Montgomery, an environmental studies professor at DePaul, has mentioned that these intense storms are something we have to be vigilant about. It isn't just about whether you need a scarf. These heavy rains in the middle of winter put a massive strain on the city’s infrastructure, especially when the ground is partially frozen and can’t absorb the water.
Why you should care about the "sweating" buildings
You’ve probably heard about the Bulls-Heat game postponement. That wasn't a roof leak. It was condensation. When you have unseasonably warm, moist air hitting a cold surface—like the floor of an arena that sits over an ice rink—you get moisture. It’s a perfect example of how the chicago weather forecast this week is physically changing how the city operates.
If you live in an older building or a garden unit, this is the week to keep an eye on your basement and windows. The rapid shift from 60 degrees and heavy rain to 16 degrees tonight can cause pipes to stress and foundation cracks to expand.
📖 Related: Nail and Feet Designs: Why Everyone Is Obsessed With High-Contrast Pedis Right Now
Practical steps for the next 48 hours
Since the weather is currently in "unpredictable" mode, here is what you actually need to do to stay ahead of it.
- Check your tires. Rapid temperature drops like the one we're seeing today (going from the 30s down to 16°F) cause tire pressure to plummet. That "low pressure" light is almost certainly going to pop up on your dashboard tomorrow morning.
- Layers are your best friend. The 25 mph winds mean that even if the sun is out, the moving air will strip heat off your body fast. Stick to a wind-resistant outer shell.
- Watch the slush. With a low of 16°F tonight, any of that rain/snow mix from today is going to turn into a sheet of ice by the morning commute. Give yourself an extra 15 minutes to get to the "L" or work.
- Salt now. If you have a sidewalk to maintain, get the salt down before the sun goes down and the temperature hits that 16-degree floor.
The chicago weather forecast this week is a reminder that winter in the 2020s is a different beast than what our parents dealt with. It’s less about a constant deep freeze and more about surviving the whiplash. Stay dry today, stay warm tonight, and maybe keep the umbrella and the ice scraper in the car at the same time. You’re gonna need both.