January weather forecast
Chicago, IL

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The city of Chicago in Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a superb view of the sandy beach of Oak Street
The city of Chicago in Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a superb view of the sandy beach of Oak Street

Weather in January

The beginning of the year brings brisk conditions to Chicago, Illinois, with an increased chance of snowfall. Marked by chilly days, this month is the epitome of a Midwestern winter, promising a snowy, frosted landscape. Visitors and locals see a noticeable drop in temperatures from December. January experiences snowfall for approximately 10.6 days with a total of 3.39", providing a winter wonderland setting. Embrace the chilly winds and enjoy the seasonal activities like ice skating and festive markets.

Temperature

January, having an average high-temperature of 29.7°F and an average low-temperature of 20.7°F, is the coldest month.

Humidity

The most humid month is January, with an average relative humidity of 82%.

Rainfall

In January, the rain falls for 6.6 days. Throughout January, 1.77" of precipitation is accumulated. In Chicago, during the entire year, the rain falls for 160.2 days and collects up to 36.97" of precipitation.

Snowfall

January through May, November and December are months with snowfall in Chicago. In Chicago, in January, during 10.6 snowfall days, 3.39" of snow is typically accumulated. In Chicago, during the entire year, snow falls for 40.9 days and aggregates up to 13.9" of snow.

Ocean temperature

In Chicago, the average seawater temperature in January is 39°F.
Note: For swimming, this is considered extremely cold, dangerous, and life-threatening. Unless suitably protected with insulated waterproof clothing, hypothermia quickly occurs.

Daylight

In Chicago, the average length of the day in January is 9h and 33min.
On the first day of January, sunrise is at 7:18 am and sunset at 4:30 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:03 am and sunset at 5:04 pm CST.

Sunshine

The month with the least sunshine in Chicago is January, with an average of 3.7h of sunshine.

UV index

January and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1, are months with the lowest UV index in Chicago. A UV Index reading of 2, and below, represents a low threat to health from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for ordinary individuals.
Note: The maximum daily UV index of 1 during January translates into the following directions:
Although the majority can endure up to an hour in the sun without burns, children always require sun protection. Considering the strength of solar radiation at midday, one should avoid direct Sun exposure. Using UVA and UVB-protective sunglasses and sun-protective clothing is effective against UV radiation. Take precaution! The reflection from snow can almost double the UV radiation of the Sun.
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FAQ

What part of the year is the coldest in Chicago?

The coldest period tends to be January, when average temperatures fluctuate between a high of 29.7°F and a low of 20.7°F.

How cold is it in Chicago in January?

The high-temperature during January is 29.7°F and the low-temperature is 20.7°F.

What is the most humid month in Chicago?

With an average relative humidity of 82%, January is the most humid month in Chicago, Illinois.

What is the average humidity in January in Chicago?

In January, the average relative humidity is 82%.

How much does it rain in Chicago in January?

In Chicago, in January, during 6.6 rainfall days, 1.77" of precipitation is typically accumulated.

How many days does it snow in January in Chicago?

In Chicago, in January, snow falls for 10.6 days, with typically accumulated 3.39" of snow.

What is the water temperature in January in Chicago?

In Chicago, the average seawater temperature in January is 39°F. For swimming, this is considered life-threatening and very dangerous. The water feels painfully cold, and hyperventilation quickly occurs. A specialized swimsuit is mandatory to reduce thermal damage.

What is the average length of the day in January in Chicago?

The average day length in January in Chicago is 9h and 33min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in January in Chicago?

On the first day of January, sunrise is at 7:18 am and sunset at 4:30 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:03 am and sunset at 5:04 pm CST.

What is the month with the least sunshine in Chicago?

With an average of 3.7h of sunshine, January has the least sunshine of the year in Chicago, Illinois.

How long on average sun shines in January in Chicago?

In January, the average sunshine duration in Chicago is 3.7h.

What are the months with the lowest UV index in Chicago?

January and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1, are months with the lowest UV index.

How high is the UV index in January in Chicago?

The average daily maximum UV index in January in Chicago, Illinois, is 1. A UV Index reading of 2, and below, represents a low health threat from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.
Average high temperature
Average low temperature
Average pressure
Average wind speed
Average max. wind speed
Average wind speed gusts
Average humidity
Average rainfall
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall
Average snowfall days
Average sea temperature
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in January
Chicago, IL

Average temperature in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average high temperature in January: 29.7°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is August (77.5°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (29.7°F).

  • Average low temperature in January: 20.7°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (67.8°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (20.7°F).

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Average pressure in January
Chicago, IL

Average pressure in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average pressure in January: 30.11"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.11"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.92"Hg).

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Average wind speed in January
Chicago, IL

Average wind speed in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average wind speed in January: 12.5mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (12.5mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is July (7.7mph).

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Average humidity in January
Chicago, IL

Average humidity in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average humidity in January: 82%

The month with the highest relative humidity is January (82%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (73%).

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Average rainfall in January
Chicago, IL

Average rainfall in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average rainfall in January: 1.77"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is June (4.88").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is December (1.65").

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Average rainfall days in January
Chicago, IL

Average rainfall days in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average rainfall days in January: 6.6 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is July (18.5 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (5.5 days).

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Average snowfall in January
Chicago, IL

Average snowfall in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average snowfall in January: 3.39"

The month with the highest snowfall is February (3.54").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August, September and October (0").

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Average snowfall days in January
Chicago, IL

Average snowfall days in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average snowfall days in January: 10.6 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (10.6 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July, August and September (0 days).

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Average sea temperature in January
Chicago, IL

Average sea temperature in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average sea temperature in January: 39°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (73.9°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (36.9°F).

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Average daylight in January /
Average sunshine in January
Chicago, IL

Average daylight in January / Average sunshine in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average daylight in January: 9h and 3min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 12min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 12min).

  • Average sunshine in January: 3h and 4min

The months with the most sunshine are July and August (Average sunshine: 10h and 36min).
The month with the least sunshine is January (Average sunshine: 3h and 42min).

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Average sunshine days in January
Chicago, IL

Average sunshine days in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average sunshine days in January: 13.6 days

The month with the most sunshine days is December (15.5 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is July (9.3 days).

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Average UV index in January
Chicago, IL

Average UV index in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average UV index in January: 1

The months with the highest UV index are July and August (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January and December (UV index 1).

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Average cloud cover in January
Chicago, IL

Average cloud cover in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average cloud cover in January: 62

The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 62).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and August (Cloud cover 27).

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Average visibility in January
Chicago, IL

Average visibility in January - Chicago, IL
  • Average visibility in January: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

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Chicago, Illinois, USA

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