January weather forecast
Illinois, USA

January stands as the coldest month in Illinois, truly embodying the state's winter spirit. Northern regions, notably close to the Wisconsin border, experience the harshest conditions, with daytime temperatures often hovering near the freezing point. Conversely, the southern areas, such as near the Kentucky border, fare slightly better, albeit still chilly.

Chicago, as a notable city and often dubbed "The Windy City", is particularly brisk during this month. The influence of Lake Michigan further accentuates the cold, occasionally ushering in lake effect snow. This phenomenon results in more significant snowfall amounts for the city and its immediate surroundings compared to other regions in the state.

In January, night temperatures can be especially severe, frequently plunging below 0°F (-17.8°C) in the more northern expanses of Illinois. The statewide snow cover is almost universal, with accumulation ranging from 14" (356mm) in the south to an imposing 38" (965mm) in the north.

When juxtaposed with December, January exhibits marginally colder average temperatures, and when contrasted with the approaching month of February, January remains the pinnacle of the winter's cold, though February also continues the wintry trend with significant snowfall and chilling temperatures.

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• Chicago - January »
  In Chicago, in January, snow falls for 10.6 days, with typically accumulated 3.39" (86mm) of snow. In Chicago, in January, during 10.6 snowfall days, 3.39" (86mm) of snow is typically accumulated.
• Aurora - January »
  In Aurora, during January, snow falls for 9.1 days and regularly aggregates up to 1.69" (43mm) of snow. With an average high-temperature of 27.9°F (-2.3°C) and an average low-temperature of 16°F (-8.9°C), January is the coldest month in Aurora.
• Rockford - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Rockford is January, when snow falls for 13 days and typically aggregates up to 4.88" (124mm) of snow. In Rockford, in January, during 13 snowfall days, 4.88" (124mm) of snow is typically accumulated.
• Joliet - January »
  In Joliet in January, snow falls for 11.9 days, with typically accumulated 4.33" (110mm) of snow. In Joliet, Illinois, in January, during 6.8 rainfall days, 1.85" (47mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated.
• Naperville - January »
  In Naperville, in January, during 11.1 snowfall days, 1.85" (47mm) of snow is typically accumulated. In Naperville in January, it is raining for 4.8 days, with typically 0.83" (21mm) of accumulated precipitation.
• Springfield - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Springfield is January, when snow falls for 9.5 days and typically aggregates up to 2.24" (57mm) of snow. The month with the most snowfall in Springfield is January, when snow falls for 9.5 days and typically aggregates up to 2.24" (57mm) of snow.
• Peoria - January »
  The month with the least rainfall in Peoria is January, when the rain falls for 5.2 days and typically collects 0.75" (19mm) of precipitation. In Peoria in January, snow falls for 9 days, with typically accumulated 2.36" (60mm) of snow.
• Elgin - January »
  In Elgin, in January, snow falls for 12.9 days, with typically accumulated 3.62" (92mm) of snow. January stands out as Elgin's coldest month, with temperatures ranging between an average high of 27.3°F (-2.6°C) and a low of 15.4°F (-9.2°C).
• Waukegan - January »
  In Waukegan in January, it is raining for 6.4 days, with typically 1.06" (27mm) of accumulated precipitation. January, with its average high-temperature of 27.9°F (-2.3°C) and an average low-temperature of 18.3°F (-7.6°C), holds the record as the coldest month in Waukegan, Illinois.
• Champaign - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Champaign is January, when snow falls for 8.7 days and typically aggregates up to 1.85" (47mm) of snow. In Champaign, during January, snow falls for 8.7 days and regularly aggregates up to 1.85" (47mm) of snow.
• Cicero - January »
  In Cicero in January, during 10.4 snowfall days, 1.06" (27mm) of snow is typically accumulated. The most humid month in Cicero, Illinois, is January, with an average relative humidity of 82%.
• Bloomington - January »
  In Bloomington, Illinois, in January, during 11.5 snowfall days, 2.44" (62mm) of snow is typically accumulated. In Bloomington, Illinois, the year commences with brisk temperatures and predominant cloud coverage, marking January as a typical winter month.