CHICAGO – Prepare for an Arctic blast as Chicago faces bitter cold overnight, with temperatures plummeting near zero and wind chills dipping as low as -25 degrees.
What we know
Monday will bring sunny skies, but don’t let the sun fool you—highs will only reach around 10 degrees, with wind chills again plunging into the -20 range.
Tuesday continues the trend of extreme cold, with highs barely hitting 4 degrees and bone-chilling wind chills persisting.
By Wednesday, a slight warm-up is on the way with highs in the low 20s, and by Friday, temperatures are expected to climb into the 30s.
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect overnight Monday and Tuesday due to the dangerously low temperatures. Stay warm and take precautions!
Cold Weather Advisory?
Starting this winter, Wind Chill Advisories have been replaced with Cold Weather Advisories.
Wind Chill Warnings have been replaced with Extreme Cold Warnings.
The National Weather Service wanted to simplify their weather alert terminology and emphasize that extreme cold, regardless of wind, can be dangerous and lead to frostbite.
The criteria for each remains the same: wind chills around -20F or colder will result in a Cold Weather Advisory, and wind chills around -30F or colder will result in an Extreme Cold Warning being issued.
A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday through 12 p.m. Monday for wind chills as low as -20 to -25 degrees.
Another Cold Weather Advisory will go into effect from 9 p.m. Monday through 12 p.m. Tuesday for wind chills as low as -20 to -29 degrees.
How Chicagoans are Coping
Although folks in Wicker Park were dressed in layers with big scarfs Sunday, frigid temps didn’t keep some joggers from their outdoor cardio regiment.
“I am buying food, so I can stay home for the next few days” one shopper said outside Humboldt Park’s Cermak Produce Fresh Market.
Tuesday is expected to be the coldest day of the week.
Leaving skin exposed too long outdoors during the cold snap could result in frost bite. Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management advises residents to dress appropriately to combat the cold.
Also, be sure to check on loved ones and as much as possible, keep pets inside.
Chicago Warming Centers
Locations open from Saturday, Jan. 18 – Monday, Jan. 20:
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Garfield Community Service Center – 10 South Kedzie Avenue, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday
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Chicago Public Library (78 locations), visit chipublib.org for hours and locations
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Libraries will be closed on Monday, January 20
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Chicago Park District (59 locations) locations will be open during hours of operation
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Chicago Police Districts (22 locations)
Locations open Tuesday, Jan. 21 – Friday, Jan. 24:
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All Community Service Centers (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
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Englewood Community Service Center – 1140 West 79th Street
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Garfield Community Service Center – 10 South Kedzie Avenue (8 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21
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Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center – 4314 South Cottage Grove
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North Area Community Service Center – 845 West Wilson Avenue
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South Chicago Community Service Center – 8650 South Commercial Avenue
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Trina Davila Community Service Center – 4312 West North Avenue
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Chicago Public Library (78 locations), visit chipublib.org for hours and locations
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Chicago Park District (75 locations) will be open during hours of operation
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Renaissance Court, Chicago Cultural Center 72 E. Randolph, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Chicago Police Districts (22 locations)
