Honestly, if you're standing on a corner in the Loop right now waiting for the L, you already know the answer: it's "Chicago cold." But for those of you looking at the numbers from a warm couch, how cold is it in Chicago right now specifically? As of late afternoon on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the official mercury is sitting at exactly 23°F.
That doesn't sound too bad for January, right? Wrong.
In this city, the thermometer is a liar. It’s a base layer of data that ignores the teeth of the lakefront. Because of a 9 mph wind coming out of the southwest, the actual "feels like" temperature—the one that actually matters for your skin—is a much sharper 13°F.
Chicago winters are basically a test of character. We’ve already had a wild ride this season. Just yesterday, a nasty snow squall ripped through the city during the morning rush, dropping visibility to near zero and dumping over an inch of snow at O'Hare in a heartbeat. It’s that erratic shifting that makes a 23-degree night feel like a relief compared to the sub-zero wind chills we've seen earlier this winter.
The "Real Feel" Reality Check
You’ve gotta understand the "feels like" factor if you’re going to survive out here. Right now, the humidity is hovering around 52%. That’s dry enough to make your knuckles crack but wet enough to make the cold feel heavy.
Why does 13°F feel so different than 23°F?
Basically, the wind strips away the thin layer of warm air your body naturally generates around your skin. In Chicago, we call it "The Hawk." When that southwest wind hits 9 mph, it’s not just a breeze; it’s a heat thief.
If you’re heading out tonight, don't just look at the 23-degree headline. Dress for the 13.
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Tonight’s Forecast: Snow is Coming
The clear skies we had earlier are already starting to clutter up with periodic clouds. If you’re planning on being out late, keep an eye on the sky. The forecast for the rest of tonight, January 15, shows a low of 16°F.
But here is the kicker: there is a 44% chance of snow overnight.
After that snow squall mess on Wednesday that saw gusts up to 43 mph at O'Hare, the city is a bit on edge. The winds tonight are expected to shift and pick up, coming from the west at about 14 mph. That’s going to keep that wind chill firmly in the "stay inside" territory.
Chicago Weather Isn't Just "Cold"—It's Complicated
People think Chicago is just a frozen tundra from November to March. That’s not quite true. This specific January has been a weird one.
We actually started the month with record-breaking warmth. On January 8th and 9th, the city hit 60°F. Can you believe that? We literally broke a rainfall record with 1.92 inches at O'Hare and tied a high-temperature record from 1880. People were walking around in light jackets, probably feeling a false sense of security.
Then, the floor dropped out.
That’s the "The Blob" phenomenon and La Niña for you. According to climate experts at the National Weather Service, this weak La Niña pattern has been fueling a "Great Lakes storm track." It means we get these massive swings—from 60-degree rainstorms to snow squalls and 13-degree wind chills in the span of a week.
- Historical Average for January: Usually around 26°F (High) and 16°F (Low).
- This Month's Reality: We've been hovering about 2 degrees below average, despite those random warm spikes.
Survival Tips for the 13-Degree "Feels Like"
If you’re new here, or just visiting, "layering" isn't a fashion suggestion. It's a biological necessity.
- The Base Layer: Wear something moisture-wicking. Even if it's 13 degrees, if you run for the bus and sweat, that moisture will freeze against your skin. That’s how hypothermia starts.
- The Shield: Your outer layer needs to break the wind. A heavy wool coat looks great, but if the wind can whistle through the fibers, it’s useless. Get something with a technical shell.
- Cover the Extremities: We’re looking at a 13-degree wind chill right now. Exposed skin can start to feel the effects of frostbite faster than you'd think, especially if those wind gusts pick up to the predicted 14 mph tonight.
The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management (OEMC) has been pretty vocal this week about using warming centers if your heat isn't keeping up. With the humidity at 52% and temperatures dropping toward 16°F tonight, pipes in older Greystones are at risk if they aren't properly insulated.
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What to Expect Tomorrow
Don't expect a heatwave tomorrow. While the sun might peek out, the "roaring start" to the 2025-2026 snowfall season is likely to continue. We’ve already seen over 17 inches of snow this season—nearly the total for the entire previous winter.
Basically, the 23°F you see on your phone right now is the "nice" part of the evening.
As the night progresses and that 44% chance of snow kicks in, the dampness will make the 16-degree low feel even more biting. If you’re driving, watch for "flash freeze" spots. When temperatures drop 5 to 8 degrees in 30 minutes (like they did during Wednesday's squall), the roads turn into skating rinks before the salt trucks can even leave the yard.
The best thing you can do right now? Check the seals on your windows, make sure your car has a half-tank of gas (to prevent fuel line freeze), and honestly, just stay off the roads if that overnight snow starts to stick. Chicago is beautiful in the winter, but it doesn't suffer fools.
Check the local radar before you head out for your morning commute on Friday. The transition from "clear with periodic clouds" to "active snow" can happen in minutes in this city.