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 witnesses the coldest weather in January, with temperatures averaging a high of 29.7°F (-1.3°C) and a low of 20.7°F (-6.3°C).

Humidity

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

Rainfall

In Chicago, in January, it is raining for 6.6 days, with typically 1.77" (45mm) of accumulated precipitation. In Chicago, during the entire year, the rain falls for 160.2 days and collects up to 36.97" (939mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall are January through May, November and December. In January, it is snowing for 10.6 days. Throughout January, 3.39" (86mm) of snow is accumulated. In Chicago, during the entire year, snow falls for 40.9 days and aggregates up to 13.9" (353mm) of snow.

Ocean temperature

In Chicago, the average seawater temperature in January is 39°F (3.9°C).
Note: During swimming, this circumstance is both life-threatening and incredibly perilous. The intense cold sensation provokes rapid hyperventilation. The use of a specialized swimsuit is imperative to prevent thermal injuries.

Daylight

The average length of the day in January 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

January has the least sunshine of the year, 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 of 2, and less, symbolizes a low threat to health from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for the ordinary person.
Note: An average maximum UV index of 1 in January leads to these recommendations:
Prolonged exposure to sunlight rarely troubles the majority, but constant protection is vital for babies, children, and fair-skinned people. Solar radiation peaks around mid-day, so it's wise to limit exposure to the Sun at this time. A wide-brimmed hat is a shield, deflecting up to 50% of harmful UV radiation from eyes. Be advised! The UV radiation from the Sun can be almost doubled due to the reflective properties of snow.

Frequently asked questions

What time of the year is the coldest?

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.

How cold is January?

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

What is the most humid month?

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

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 January?

In January, in Chicago, the rain falls for 6.6 days. Throughout January, 1.77" (45mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

How much does it snow in January?

In January, it is snowing for 10.6 days. Throughout January, 3.39" (86mm) of snow is accumulated.

What is the water temperature in January in Chicago?

In January, the average ocean temperature in Chicago is 39°F (3.9°C). For swimming, this is considered extremely cold, dangerous, and life-threatening. Unless suitably protected with insulated waterproof clothing, hypothermia quickly occurs.

What is the average length of the day in January?

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

When is the sunrise / sunset in January?

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?

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 January, the average sunshine duration is 3.7h.

When is the lowest UV index?

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

What is the UV index reading in January?

In January, the average daily maximum UV index is 1. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a low health risk from exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
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).

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).

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).

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%).

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").

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).

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").

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

Chicago, Illinois, USA

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