Chicago braces for arctic blast with sub-zero wind chills

CHICAGO — Chicago residents should prepare for another powerful Arctic blast this week, bringing wind chills and potential travel hazards.

A cold front is expected to move over Chicago on Wednesday afternoon and temperatures will drop from about 30 to 15 degrees by 6 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Kluber said.

Stormy westerly winds with gusts exceeding 30 mph combined with isolated snow showers could lead to slippery conditions and poor visibility during Wednesday evening’s drive, Kluber said. Snow accumulations of up to half an inch are possible.

Thursday will be the coldest day of the week with high temperatures in the teens, so Kluber recommends people take precautions and limit their time outdoors.

“With wind gusts still 20 to 25 miles per hour, we expect wind chill values ​​of 10 to 15 degrees below zero Thursday morning,” he said. “Most of the city will be around 18 degrees in the afternoon.”

The Arctic blast comes from a pocket of cold air flowing down from Canada through the Great Lakes region. Unlike more widespread cold air outbreaks, this is a relatively small system moving quickly eastward — “just a one-day shot of Arctic air,” Kluber said.

Temperatures are expected to rise back up to around 35 degrees by Friday, with a mix of rain and snow possible later in the day. The weekend looks relatively mild, with temperatures rising to below 40 degrees, Kluber said.

As the bitter cold approaches, the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications has activated its Cold Weather Emergency Plan. More than 190 warming centers will open across the city, including public libraries, parks and six community service centers.

Community centers are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when temperatures are below 32 degrees. Extended hours may be possible at the Kedzie Avenue location during extreme conditions. The centers are:

• Englewood: 1140 W. 79th St.
• Garfield: 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
• Martin Luther King: 4314 S. Cottage Grove
• North Area: 845 W. Wilson Ave.
• South Chicago: 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
• Trina Davila: 4312 W. North Ave.

RELATED: Here’s how to stay warm and safe when Chicago experiences extreme cold

The Department of Family and Support Services has also deployed Homeless Outreach and Prevention Teams to connect people in need of shelter with warming centers and housing options. Residents can call 311 for emergency shelter assistance.

The city’s emergency management office encourages residents to check on neighbors at risk, limit time outdoors and stay informed about weather conditions through the Chicago OEMC app or NotifyChicago.org.

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