The Chicago area is bracing for extremely cold weather as the week begins, with freezing temperatures and wind chills reaching subzero levels. Monday and Tuesday are expected to be the coldest days, with wind chills between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees. The daytime highs on these days will remain near 10 degrees, and temperatures will continue to drop Sunday evening. O’Hare Airport is forecasted to see a low of just 1 degree.
The colder weather will make Monday and Tuesday feel much colder than the recent days. The wind chill will make it feel even more frigid. On Monday, areas northwest of Chicago will be under a cold weather advisory starting at midnight.
Though temperatures will slowly begin to rise, the highs won’t exceed 20 degrees until Thursday or Friday. The weather will gradually warm up, and by Friday, temperatures could reach the low- to mid-20s. Saturday may see temperatures a little higher, with some sunshine.
In addition to the bitter cold, there could be some light lake-effect snow on Sunday, but the rest of the week is expected to stay dry.
To help people stay warm during this cold snap, several warming centers are open around Chicago. One of the main centers is the Salvation Army’s Freedom Center, located at 825 N. Christiana Ave. These centers are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., whenever temperatures drop below 32 degrees.
Other places, such as libraries, also act as warming centers and may have different hours. For those who need assistance after hours or need help finding a place to stay, Chicago residents can call 311 for information or transportation to a shelter.
Here are some warming centers in Chicago:
- Garfield Community Service Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave., (312) 746-5400
- Englewood Community Service Center, 1140 W. 79th St., (312) 747-0200
- Martin Luther King Community Service Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove, (312) 747-2300
- North Area Community Service Center, 845 W. Wilson Ave., (312) 744-2580
- South Chicago Community Service Center, 8650 S. Commercial Ave., (312) 747-0500
- Trina Davila Community Service Center, 4312 W. North Ave., (312) 744-2014
For help during this cold weather, remember to reach out to the city’s resources. Stay warm and safe!
