Bitter Chicago Temps Persist, Lake Effect Snow Looms

Frigid wind chills, lake-effect snow expected to impact the region later this week.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:47pm

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Chicago is in the midst of another stretch of bitterly cold weather, with highs only reaching the teens and wind chills dipping well below zero. The cold snap is set to continue through the end of the week, with the potential for heavy lake-effect snow to develop late Thursday into the weekend.

Why it matters

The prolonged cold and potential for significant lake-effect snow could disrupt daily life and travel in the Chicago area, with impacts on schools, businesses, and transportation. The weather pattern also highlights the challenges Chicagoans face during the winter months.

The details

Overnight lows are expected to approach zero, with wind chills ranging from -5 to -15 degrees. Daytime highs will struggle to reach the mid-to-upper teens on Wednesday and Thursday. Lake-effect snow is likely to develop late Thursday and continue into Saturday, with the heaviest bands potentially targeting northeast Illinois on Friday before shifting east into northwest Indiana.

  • Overnight lows near zero with wind chills of -5 to -15 degrees expected on Tuesday night.
  • Daytime highs in the mid-to-upper teens on Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Lake-effect snow likely to develop late Thursday and continue into Saturday.
  • Heaviest lake-effect snow expected Friday morning and afternoon in northeast Illinois, then shifting east into northwest Indiana Friday evening and overnight.
  • Lake-effect snow diminishing on Saturday, with partly sunny skies and highs in the lower 20s.

The players

Emily Wahls

A meteorologist reporting on the weather for Fox32 Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“It was another frigid day with highs in the teens and wind chills just barely making it above zero.”

— Emily Wahls, Meteorologist (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

A fast-moving clipper system may bring a round of light snow to the area Sunday night into early Monday.

The takeaway

The persistent cold and potential for heavy lake-effect snow in the coming days underscores the challenges Chicagoans face during the winter months, with impacts on daily life and travel that the community must be prepared to navigate.