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" (86mm), providing a winter wonderland setting. Embrace the chilly winds and enjoy the seasonal activities like ice skating and festive markets.

Temperature

Chicago's January weather, with an average high temperature of 29.7°F (-1.3°C) and an average low temperature of 20.7°F (-6.3°C), tends to be the coldest of the year.

Humidity

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

Rainfall

In Chicago, Illinois, during January, the rain falls for 6.6 days and regularly aggregates up to 1.77" (45mm) of precipitation. In Chicago, during the entire year, the rain falls for 160.2 days and collects up to 36.97" (939mm) 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" (86mm) of snow is typically accumulated. Throughout the year, there are 40.9 snowfall days, and 13.9" (353mm) of snow is accumulated.

Ocean temperature

In Chicago, the average seawater temperature in January is 39°F (3.9°C).
Note: In terms of swimming, this condition is dangerously life-threatening. Water temperatures cause sharp pain and provoke immediate hyperventilation. A specialized swimsuit is compulsory to alleviate thermal damage.

Daylight

The average length of the day in January in Chicago is 9h and 33min.
On the first day of January in Chicago, sunrise is at 7:18 am and sunset at 4:29 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:04 am and sunset at 5:03 pm CST.

Sunshine

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

UV index

The months with the lowest UV index are January and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal health hazard from unprotected exposure to Sun's UV rays for average individuals.
Note: The maximum daily UV index of 1 during January translates into the following directions:
Children necessitate constant protection from sunlight, unlike the majority, who can remain under the sun for about an hour without burning. Considering the harmful UV rays from the Sun during midday, it's essential to reduce exposure. Experience reduced UV exposure by about half when donning a wide-brim hat. Be aware! The reflective nature of snow can magnify the Sun's UV radiation almost twofold.
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Frequently asked questions

What month is the coldest in Chicago?

January, with average temperatures reaching a high of 29.7°F (-1.3°C) and a low of 20.7°F (-6.3°C), is the coldest month in Chicago, Illinois.

How cold is January in Chicago?

The high-temperature in Chicago during January is 29.7°F (-1.3°C) and the low-temperature is 20.7°F (-6.3°C).

What is the most humid month in Chicago?

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

What is the average humidity in January in Chicago?

In Chicago, the average relative humidity in January is 82%.

How much does it rain in Chicago in January?

In Chicago, in January, it is raining for 6.6 days, with typically 1.77" (45mm) of accumulated precipitation.

How much does it snow in Chicago in January?

In Chicago, Illinois, in January, snow falls for 10.6 days, with typically accumulated 3.39" (86mm) of snow.

What is the ocean temperature in January in Chicago?

In Chicago, in January, the average water temperature is 39°F (3.9°C). For swimming, this is considered very dangerous and immediately life-threatening. Total loss of breathing control instantly occurs, and clear thinking becomes almost impossible. A specialized swimsuit is obligatory to minimize thermal loss.

How many hours of daylight does Chicago have in January?

In Chicago, the average day length in January is 9h and 33min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in January in Chicago?

On the first day of January in Chicago, sunrise is at 7:18 am and sunset at 4:29 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:04 am and sunset at 5:03 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.

How long on average sun shines in January in Chicago?

The average sunshine duration in January in Chicago, Illinois, is 3.7h.

What is the month with the lowest UV index in Chicago?

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

How high is the UV index in January in Chicago?

In January, the average daily maximum UV index is 1. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a minimal health vulnerability from unprotected exposure to UV radiation.
Today
Tomorrow
Long-term
YearJanuaryFMAMJJASOND
Dec
January
Feb
Average high temperature
35.8°F 2.1°C
29.7°F -1.3°C
32°F 0°C
Average low temperature
27.9°F -2.3°C
20.7°F -6.3°C
23°F -5°C
Average pressure
30.09" 764mmHg
30.11" 765mmHg
30.09" 764mmHg
Average wind speed
11.7mph 18.8km/h
12.5mph 20.1km/h
11.9mph 19.2km/h
Average max. wind speed
12.5mph 20.1km/h
13.1mph 21.1km/h
12.5mph 20.1km/h
Average wind speed gusts
17.3mph 27.8km/h
18.1mph 29.1km/h
18.1mph 29.1km/h
Average humidity
80%
82%
81%
Average rainfall
1.65" 42mm
1.77" 45mm
1.81" 46mm
Average rainfall days
8.8
6.6
5.5
Average snowfall
2.52" 64mm
3.39" 86mm
3.54" 90mm
Average snowfall days
7.5
10.6
9.9
Average sea temperature
42.4°F 5.8°C
39°F 3.9°C
36.9°F 2.7°C
Average daylight
9h 1min
9h 3min
10h 4min
Average sunshine
4h 0min
3h 4min
3h 5min
Average sunshine days
15.5
13.6
11.6
Average UV index
1
1
2
Average cloud cover
58%
62%
59%
Average visibility
6mi 9.7km
6mi 9.7km
6mi 9.7km

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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