Conditions Thursday night and through the overnight hours will be fairly cloudy and a bit breezy, with winds out of the west gusting up to 18 mph.
A brief surge of mild, Pacific air will ride gusty southerly winds Friday afternoon, pushing temperatures into the 40s, the warmest readings so far in 2025 and the warmest in nearly three weeks.
A 40-degree temperature in January is not unusual. A check of Chicago weather records reveals that 93% of Januarys (142 of 153) dating back to 1871 have seen at least one day in the 40s.
Friday night: Clouding over. Light rain develops, possibly mixed with snow, mainly during the evening. Windy, turning colder by Saturday morning. Winds: SW/NW 15-30 mph and gusty. Low: 31.
Looking ahead, Friday’s mild temperatures will be short-lived. Bitterly cold arctic air arrives this weekend behind a powerful cold front. Wind chills are likely to drop below zero Saturday evening and stay there until sometime Wednesday afternoon.
Temps drop back to the mid- to upper 20s on Saturday, about in line with average for this time of year. Then, bitterly cold arctic air descends on Chicagoland from Sunday through Tuesday, with highs in the single digits and lows below zero.
Warming Centers
The City of Chicago coordinates a network of more than 190 public facilities available for warming. This includes participating Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department and City Colleges of Chicago facilities during business or designated hours.
The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services activates warming areas at the city’s six community service centers when temps are 32 degrees or below.
- The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with reduced locations on holidays.
- Under extreme cold conditions, as defined by the National Weather Service and communicated by OEMC, warming center hours of operation at 10 S. Kedzie may be extended.
- Seniors are welcome at any of DFSS’s 21 senior centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours.
- Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services.
- Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1.
- DFSS Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams and street outreach partners work proactively with unhoused individuals to connect with warming options, shelter, and well-being checks.
- Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors, and friends during a winter weather emergency.
Warming Center Locations available Monday, Jan. 6 – Friday, Jan. 10
All Community Service Centers (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
- Englewood Community Service Center – 1140 West 79th Street.
- Garfield Community Service Center – 10 South Kedzie Avenue.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center – 4314 South Cottage Grove.
- North Area Community Service Center – 845 West Wilson Avenue.
- South Chicago Community Service Center – 8650 South Commercial Avenue.
- Trina Davila Community Service Center – 4312 West North Avenue.
Senior Centers (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) – visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations.
Chicago Public Library locations, visit chipublib.org for hours and locations.
Cook County will open warming centers in the north, south, and west suburbs to help residents combat the extremely cold conditions forecast for Tuesday evening through Thursday.
Conclusion:
As the cold snap settles in, it’s essential to prioritize your health and safety. Take advantage of the warming centers and services offered by the City of Chicago and its partners to stay warm and safe. Stay informed about the weather forecast and any updates on warming center locations and hours.
FAQs:
Q: What is the weather forecast for this weekend?
A: Bitterly cold arctic air arrives this weekend, with wind chills expected to drop below zero Saturday evening and stay there until sometime Wednesday afternoon.
Q: What are the warming center hours?
A: The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with reduced locations on holidays.
Q: Are there any warming center locations available for seniors?
A: Yes, seniors are welcome at any of DFSS’s 21 senior centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours.
Q: Can I call for help if I need a warm place to go after hours?
A: Yes, those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services.
