A dangerously cold air mass moved into the Chicago area early on Sunday, bringing dangerously low wind chills that are expected to last until Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory for all of northern and central Illinois through Monday.
The coldest days will be Monday and Tuesday mornings. On Monday, the temperature will reach a high of just 10°F, with a low of minus 6°F. Tuesday will be even colder, with a high of 5°F and a low of minus 1°F. Wind chills, which make it feel much colder than the actual temperature, could drop as low as minus 23°F in downtown Chicago on Tuesday morning.
By Sunday evening, temperatures at O’Hare Airport had already dropped to 0°F, with an expected low of minus 5°F. The wind chills at that time were around minus 15°F. These extreme cold conditions can be dangerous, and the National Weather Service is advising people to limit time outdoors. If you do need to go outside, make sure to cover all exposed skin to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Prolonged exposure to these cold temperatures can cause frostbite in less than 30 minutes.
As a result of the extreme weather, Amtrak has canceled some of its Chicago-area train services through Wednesday. For updates on canceled trains, passengers can check the Amtrak website.
This cold snap is expected to last until Wednesday, when temperatures will rise to the low 20s, providing a brief break from the freezing conditions. Until then, it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe and warm.
