Honestly, if you're living in Elgin right now, you probably already know the drill. It's cold. It's gray. And according to the latest data, it isn't getting "warm" anytime soon. We are looking at a stretch of weather that feels less like a typical January and more like a test of endurance.
The 10 day weather forecast Elgin is showing a significant temperature roller coaster, starting with today, Friday, January 16. Right now, it's 27°F outside, but it feels like a biting 17°F thanks to that 11 mph wind coming out of the southwest. We've got light snow showers moving through, and with humidity sitting at 92%, that damp cold is the kind that just seeps into your bones.
The Immediate Outlook: Snow and Shifting Skies
Today’s high of 37°F is actually the "warmest" we’re going to see for a while. Enjoy it while it lasts, because the low is dropping down to 14°F tonight. There’s a 35% chance of snow showers during the day, which tapers off slightly to 25% tonight.
Saturday, January 17, is where things start to get really frosty. The high only hits 17°F. Yes, you read that right—the high for Saturday is 20 degrees colder than Friday's high. We’re expecting more snow showers and a 14 mph wind from the west.
Sunday isn't much better. While the high stays at 17°F, the low plunges to -2°F. If you have plans to be outside, you might want to reconsider or at least layer up like you're heading to the Arctic. The chance of snow is still hanging around at 35% during the day.
The Deep Freeze of Early Next Week
Monday, January 19, looks to be the coldest day of this entire stretch. We are looking at a high of only 5°F and a low of -3°F. It’s going to be cloudy with a 17 mph wind from the west, making that 5°F feel significantly worse.
Things "rebound" a bit by Tuesday, January 20, as we hit a high of 26°F with some light snow. But "rebound" is a relative term when the low is still 1°F.
Mid-Week Conditions and Beyond
- Wednesday, Jan 21: 26°F High / 10°F Low. Partly sunny (finally).
- Thursday, Jan 22: 19°F High / 10°F Low. Mostly clouds and sun.
- Friday, Jan 23: 28°F High / 19°F Low. Snow showers return at 20%.
As we move into next weekend, the 10 day weather forecast Elgin indicates a fairly consistent pattern of snow showers. Saturday, January 24, stays around 27°F, but Sunday, January 25, sees another big temperature drop. We’ll see a high of 25°F followed by a low of -4°F.
The air is getting much drier by the end of this period, with humidity dropping to 32% on that final Sunday. It’s a sharp contrast to the 92% humidity we’re feeling right now.
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Surviving the Elgin Cold
With several nights dipping below zero or hovering near it, pipe safety is actually a real concern. Keep your thermostat consistent. If you have cabinets on exterior walls, keep those doors open to let the warm air reach the plumbing.
Check your tire pressure too. These massive swings from 37°F down to -4°F will cause your "low tire" light to pop on as the air density changes. It’s basically an Elgin tradition at this point.
Make sure you have a shovel or snowblower ready. While no single day shows a massive blizzard, the consistent 20% to 35% daily chances of snow mean that accumulation will add up over the week.
Next Steps for Elgin Residents:
Ensure your car's emergency kit has blankets and a portable charger. Given the sub-zero lows on Sunday, Monday, and the following Sunday, you don't want to be caught unprepared if a battery dies or a commute gets stalled.