Chicagoans are bracing for a bone-chilling weekend as temperatures plummet far below the seasonal average. According to the National Weather Service, today brings a 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before late afternoon, with a high near a frigid 9 degrees. Wind chill factors are making it feel as cold as -8, and that’s just a prelude to a colder night ahead.
The city will then descend into deeper frost as tonight's low is expected to hit around -1, and wind chills are set to potentially drop to -21. These conditions are part of a cold snap that has Saturday temperatures starting at a chilly 12 degrees near the lakefront, per FOX 32. The suburban areas aren’t faring much better, with wind chills ranging from 2 to 3 degrees below zero at airports, and an even colder -11 in the western suburbs.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for certain south suburbs like La Salle, Grundy, and Kankakee counties, with potentially significant snowfall expected in those areas. The cold is quite the divergence from usual temperatures this time of year, which typically hover around 37 degrees, indicating how unusual this chill really is.
The frosty grip isn't loosening on Sunday either, with single-digit temps likely to prolong the freeze. "Wind child to start out the day could get into the 20 below zero range," says FOX 32. Yet, there's a slight glimmer of improvement to come later in the day. The National Weather Service projects a sunny Sunday with a high near 12 degrees and conditions steadily warming up towards the next week, aiming to eventually hit a more comfortable 42 degrees by Wednesday.
Residents are hence advised to bundle up, limit outdoor time, and to keep abreast of the latest weather developments—forewarned is forearmed when it comes to safely navigating what may prove to be one of the city's more stark winter commencements in recent memory. With nighttime wind chill values set to pitch to extremes, it’s imperative to maintain vigilance and prioritize warmth in the days ahead.
