Bone-chilling temperatures and brutal wind chills grip the Windy City. According to NBC Chicago, wind chill advisories and warnings are in effect across several counties, with residents facing dangerously cold wind chill values between 20 degrees and 35 degrees below zero. This deep freeze is severe enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for parts of Kane and Will counties, maintaining it through Sunday noon. For Cook, McHenry, Lake, DuPage, Will, and Kane counties - and extending into Lake and Porter counties in northwest Indiana - wind chill advisories remain in place until Wednesday morning. The hazardous conditions are not confined to the land, gale-force winds and very hazardous waves make Lake Michigan a no-go for small crafts. With these advisories, residents are advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities and ensure their vehicles are equipped with emergency supplies.
Adding to the woes are what the National Weather Service describes as "significant blowing and drifting snow risk" and "significant excessive cold risk," which will persist till at least Wednesday. Even as a slight warmup is expected heading into Wednesday, temperatures are set to remain below normal for the rest of the week. Meteorologists indicate that strong westerly winds contribute to near-ground blizzard conditions, particularly in the rural expanse where they're magnified by the open landscape.
This may escalate into ice jams, and possibly flooding along area rivers, warns the National Weather Service.
