Chicagoans are bracing as the city grapples with a blast of winter weather, marked by sub-zero wind chills and single-digit temperatures that have persisted into the night, marking the coldest weather of the season. According to the National Weather Service, today's partly sunny conditions weren't enough to stave off the chill, with the wind chill values dipping as low as zero and north winds picking up to 15 mph before changing direction.

The forecast anticipates mostly cloudy skies tonight, with lows hovering around 26 degrees. The CTA experienced a brief suspension of service between Kimball, and Southport on the Brown Line after a rail fracture attributed to the freezing temperatures. Service, however, has been promptly restored. This information emerges from ABC7 Chicago, where the struggle against the cold was documented amidst the day's routines.

Looking forward, rain is expected to enter the scene Saturday afternoon, with a high near 39 degrees and potential gusts reaching up to 30 mph. The certainty of precipitation climbs to 100% by Saturday night, carrying into a wet Sunday and Monday, albeit with slightly higher temperatures peaking at 52 degrees on Monday.

As the city confronts the reality of winter's arrival, the community has hunkered down, with warming centers being opened by the City of Chicago and neighboring counties to support those in need.