Extreme Cold Grips Chicago Area: Wind Chills Plummet to -30
Arctic cold descended upon the Chicago area, bringing with it bone-chilling temperatures around -30 degrees on Tuesday morning. As the region grappled with the frigid weather, extreme cold warnings and advisories were issued to alert residents of the perilous conditions.
Subzero Temperatures and Frostbite Risk
By 5:20 a.m., temperatures in Northeastern Illinois had plummeted below zero, with readings ranging from -5 to -10 degrees. The bitter cold was exacerbated by brutal wind chills, with “feels-like” temperatures reaching as low as -29 in DeKalb, -27 in DuPage and Morris, -24 in Waukegan, and -20 in Kankakee. NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman urged residents to “bundle up from head to toe” as the Arctic cold reached its peak that morning.
An extreme cold warning was in effect until noon for Lake, McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, and LaSalle Counties in Illinois, as well as Kenosha County in Wisconsin. According to the National Weather Service, the bone-chilling wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. In other parts of Illinois and Northwest Indiana, a cold weather advisory remained in place until 2 p.m., with wind chills expected to range between -20°F to -35°F.
School Closures and Flight Disruptions
The subzero temperatures prompted over 100 Chicago-area schools, colleges, and daycares to close or transition to e-learning on Tuesday. Additionally, more than 40 flights at O’Hare International Airport were canceled, causing disruptions for travelers. Despite being indoors, the airport’s interior felt just as cold, with employees donning coats, hats, and gloves to combat the icy conditions.
Weather Outlook and Relief in Sight
As the day progressed, Chicagoans could expect the high temperature to hover in the single digits, accompanied by wind chills between -10 and -20. However, relief was in sight for Wednesday, with temperatures expected to rise into the 20s. NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman reassured residents that a high of 25 would feel significantly warmer compared to the bone-chilling conditions experienced on Tuesday. Wednesday may also bring scattered snow showers throughout the day, though accumulations were not anticipated to exceed an inch.
Looking ahead to the weekend, temperatures were forecasted to climb into the 30s, providing a welcome respite from the frigid start to the week. As Chicagoans braced themselves against the extreme cold, the city remained united in weathering the icy conditions together.
