Honestly, if you're standing outside in Chicopee right now, you already know the vibe. It’s cold. Like, "don't forget your wool socks" cold. But there is a lot more happening with the current weather in chicopee ma than just a low number on your phone's home screen.
As of early Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026, the temperature is sitting right at 30°F. Sounds manageable, right? Well, the west wind is kicking at about 10 mph, which drags that "feels like" temperature down to a biting 21°F. It’s sunny for the moment, but that’s a bit of a tease given what’s coming overnight.
The Forecast You Actually Need to Care About
Most people see "sunny" and think they’re in the clear for their Friday night plans. Kinda. The day is mostly sunny with a high of 31°F, but the atmosphere is shifting. Humidity is low—around 36%—which is why your skin probably feels like sandpaper today.
But check this out: after midnight, things change. We're looking at a 35% chance of snow showers. It isn't a blizzard, but with a low of 19°F, whatever falls is going to stick to those sidewalks and turn them into skating rinks by tomorrow morning.
Why Chicopee’s Climate is Weirdly Specific
People often lump us in with Springfield or Holyoke, but being tucked near the Connecticut River and Westover Air Force Base creates these micro-pockets of weather. Today's UV index is a mere 1. Basically, you could stand outside all day and not get a hint of color, but the wind chill is the real factor.
Western Mass weather in January is notoriously fickle. Historically, January is our coldest month. We usually average a high of 34°F and a low of 17°F. So, today is actually pretty "normal," even if it feels brutal after those weirdly warm spikes we sometimes get in early winter.
What the Locals Are Saying (and Doing)
If you head over to the shops near Memorial Drive, you’ll see the typical New England scramble. Salt bags are moving. Windshield washer fluid—the de-icer kind, not the cheap blue stuff—is a hot commodity.
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The air quality today is actually "Good" with an AQI of 36. That’s the silver lining of a windy day; it blows all the stagnant pollutants right out of the valley. If you have asthma, this is actually a great day to be out, provided you wrap a scarf around your face to pre-warm the air before it hits your lungs.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
Saturday is going to be the real test. We’re expecting a high of 36°F, which sounds like a "heat wave" compared to today, but it brings a messy mix. We're talking snow before 2:00 PM, transitioning into rain, and then flipping back to snow after 4:00 PM.
It’s that classic New England "slop" that makes driving on I-91 an absolute nightmare.
- Check your tire pressure. Cold snaps like this cause the air in your tires to contract, usually triggering that annoying light on your dashboard.
- Hydrate. We forget to drink water when it’s cold, but the 36% humidity today is literally sucking the moisture out of you.
- Watch the overnight low. At 19°F tonight, any damp spots on your driveway from the daytime sun will flash-freeze.
Survival Tips for the Next 24 Hours
If you’re heading out to the Elms College area or over toward Fairview, keep an eye on the wind gusts. While the sustained wind is 10-13 mph, gusts have been hitting higher, making it feel significantly colder in open areas.
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Basically, keep the heavy coat handy. The sunny skies are a nice break from the grey, but the current weather in chicopee ma is a reminder that winter is very much in charge.
Make sure your outdoor pets have a warm place to retreat, and if you haven't disconnected your garden hoses yet, tonight is the absolute last call before that 19-degree low does some permanent damage to your pipes.
Check your local road conditions before the Saturday afternoon transition from snow to rain, as the "slush factor" will likely be at its peak around 3:00 PM.