January 21 is generally a great time to visit Chicago. While there is a slight chance of rain (21%), showers are usually brief. Expect comfortable -2°C weather. Chicago is seeing high visitor numbers, so iconic spots may be busier than usual.
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Essential Travel Info for Chicago
Currency
USD
$ United States dollar
Language
English
Driving
Right side
Connect
The first Internet café in the United St...
Safety
Moderate Safety
GPI: 2.44
Chicago Weather Forecast for January 21
"Cold & Crisp. Expect average highs of -2.1°C. 21% chance of snow."
What to Wear in Chicago in January
Based on historical data for January 21, Chicago typically experiences temperatures between -8.7°C and -2.1°C. We recommend packing heavy coat, scarf, gloves to stay comfortable. Trends suggest it will stay mostly dry (21% rain probability), but checking the forecast before heading out is always wise.
Complete Packing Guide
Weekly breakdown & essential items for Chicago
Smart Suitcase
- Heavy Coat
- Scarf
- Gloves
Average High
-2.1°C
Daytime Peak
Average Low
-8.7°C
Nighttime Low
Feels Like
-8.6°C
🥶 Wind chill effect
Snow Chance
21%
Avg 1.2mm if it snows
Snowfall
0.7 cm
~21% chance
Pressure
1020.7 hPa
High volatility
Chicago Weather Conditions & UV Index
Weather Confidence
30-year variance analysis
Based on 10 years of data
❓ Expect variable conditions. Have flexible plans and pack for multiple weather scenarios.
Sun Exposure
UV Index & Safety Guide
Protection Needed
SPF 15 for extended outdoor time
Type I-II
🔴 267 min to burn
Type III-IV
🟡 401 min to burn
Type V-VI
🟢 668 min to burn
UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.
Outdoor Comfort
How pleasant is it outside?
Dew Point
-6.3°C
Dry air
Heat Stress
Low
No heat warning
😣 Best outdoor time:
Midday (11 AM - 3 PM) when warmest
Travel & Logistics Insights
Local Calendar
Business Day
Standard hours in United States
Flight Traffic
Busy
77/100 pressure index
Health Advisory
Healthy
Routine only • View Details →
Landing Slots
~1,055
Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)
Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Chicago
Daylight & Sun
Solar Elevation Cycle
🌅 Sunrise
07:13
☀️ Noon
12:02
🌇 Sunset
16:52
⏱️ Daylight
9h 38m
Wind Speed
25 km/h
Moderate wind
Sunshine
5.4 hrs
Direct Sun (Cloud-free)
Humidity
73%
Humid / Damp
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Chicago
Smart Flight Estimator
Airport-to-Airport Logistics
unlock smart flight estimates
Add your home location in settings to see airport details.
Travel Health & Safety in Chicago
Travel Comfort Index
Real-time tourism conditions
Weather Quality
☀️ Excellent
Tourist Crowds
🟢 Moderate
Price Level
💰💰 Moderate
Health & Wellbeing
Meteo-Health Forecast
Rapid pressure changes detected. High risk for meteosensitive people.
Weather unlikely to affect joint pain.
Fish are active due to pressure changes.
Air quality is acceptable. Sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Regional Safety Profile
Seismic Activity
Zero seismic activity detected in 30 years.
"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA satellite data, Chicago on January 21 averages -2.1°C with a 21% precipitation probability. Wedding/Outdoor Event Score: 0/100."
— Source: 30YearWeather.com|Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)|View Methodology
Chicago Weather History (2010–2024)
Temperature History
Hall of Fame
Records from last 10 years
Better Alternatives Nearby
Consider these dates within ±7 days
💡 Moving your event by a few days could significantly improve weather conditions
Compare Other Cities
Same date (January 21) in other destinations
🌍 Explore the same date in different destinations around the world
📍 Is Chicago Worth Visiting on January 21?
Planning a trip to Chicago on January 21? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year offers a bracing seasonal atmosphere averaging -2.1°C with a 21% historical precipitation risk.
✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 1,055 landing slots available daily during this period, indicating peak tourist activity.
📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest January 21 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 15.3°C in 2017, while the coldest dropped to -21.4°C in 2025.