Chicago, Illinois – A renewed surge of Arctic air is expected to pour back into Illinois and Indiana during the first full week of February, bringing a prolonged stretch of bitter cold, dangerous wind chills, and a lower-than-normal risk for widespread snowstorms.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across the Midwest are favored to run well below normal from Friday through the following Thursday as strong Arctic high pressure settles across the eastern half of the country. Precipitation probabilities during that same window lean below average, pointing to a colder but generally drier pattern.
In Illinois, the harshest cold is expected across northern and central portions of the state, including the Chicago metro, Rockford, and Peoria, where overnight lows could fall into the single digits or below zero. Gusty northwest winds will drive wind chills below zero at times, especially overnight and during the morning commute. Southern Illinois will also see sharply colder conditions, with daytime highs struggling through the teens during the coldest stretch.
Across Indiana, similar impacts are expected from Gary and South Bend through Indianapolis and Lafayette. Northern Indiana may see occasional lake-effect snow showers, but the dominant Arctic pattern favors dry air, limiting accumulation potential. Fast-moving clippers remain possible, though overall snow chances are trending below normal.
Residents should prepare for an extended cold stretch by protecting pipes, checking heating systems, and limiting prolonged outdoor exposure. Confidence remains high in the return of Arctic cold through early February, with additional advisories possible if the pattern intensifies or shifts.
