Chicago, Illinois – A pronounced return to deep winter is set to grip the Midwest this weekend as a strong surge of Arctic air pushes south and east, bringing a sharp temperature drop and setting up some of the coldest conditions seen so far this January.
According to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center, the Midwest will be one of the first regions to feel the core of the cold air beginning Saturday. High temperatures are expected to drop 20 to 30 degrees compared to late-week values, with many locations falling well below seasonal averages by Sunday.
Across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin, daytime highs that reach the 40s and lower 50s late this week will tumble into the 20s and lower 30s over the weekend. In Chicago, highs are expected to struggle to reach the upper 20s to near 30 by Sunday, with overnight lows falling into the teens. Parts of northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan may see daytime temperatures stuck in the teens, with single-digit lows returning overnight.
Brisk northwest winds will amplify the cold, driving wind chill values into the single digits and teens across much of the region, and below zero at times in the northern Midwest. While widespread snow is not the primary signal everywhere, lingering snow cover will help reinforce the cold and create slick spots during overnight and early morning hours.
Residents across the Midwest are urged to prepare for a sustained stretch of colder weather by dressing in layers, checking heating systems, and allowing extra time for travel during morning commutes. The colder-than-normal pattern is expected to persist into early next week, with additional surges of cold air possible as January continues.
