Chicago weather in January (Illinois, United States of America)
How is the weather in Chicago in January? Check out this comprehensive weather guide.
In January, Chicago generally has very low temperatures and moderate snowfall. January is a winter month. Daytime temperatures hover around -1°C, while nights can cool down to about -9°C. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Ensure you're prepared by packing appropriate winter gear.
Chicago in January usually receives moderate snowfall, averaging around 50 mm for the month. It is the driest month of the year. For those who prefer outdoor activities, it's a great time to explore without the huge concern of sudden downpours. Typically around 10 days of snowfall is expected.
The area enjoys a balanced 133 hours of sunlight. Ensuring it's neither too overcast nor too sunny.
If you're looking for dry conditions and comfortable temperatures, January may not be the ideal month to visit Chicago. September typically offers the best circumstances. While January, February, March, November and December tend to showcase less optimal conditions.
For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Chicago climate page with graphs.
Chicago, monthly averages in January
Min Temperature
-9°C
Max Temperature
-1°C
Chance of Rain
34%
Precipitation
50 mm
Rainy days
10 days
Humidity
72%
Windspeed
22 km/h
Sunshine
133 hours
Percentage Sunshine
46%
Where to go in the United States of America in January
Find out more about the weather in the United States of America in January and which places have the best weather conditions in this month.
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor
So, what should you wear in Chicago in January?
Visitors traveling to Chicago should plan on bringing winter clothes, snow boots and a warm winter coat. There will be periods of snow.What To Do
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do in January.
Interested in more climate information?
Weather and Climate provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Chicago.
Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
