Arctic Blast Hits Chicago Area with Dangerously Cold Temperatures, Wind Chills as Low as 29 Below Zero

Temperatures Plummet to 9 Degrees Below Zero, Wind Chills Reach 29 Below Zero

Chicago plunged into a deep freeze Tuesday as the combination of the coldest air of the season and wind chills plummeting well below zero gripped the area. Temperatures on Tuesday dropped to 9 degrees below zero, but an arctic air mass combined with gusts up to 15 mph created wind chills as low as 29 below zero, according to the National Weather Service.

At Least One Death Linked to Bitterly Cold Conditions

The bitterly cold conditions over the past two days were possibly linked to at least one death. A Palos Heights woman, 88-year-old Mary Jane Alano, died of possible cold exposure Monday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The primary cause of death was hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the coroner’s office listed “probable cold exposure” as a secondary cause.

Residents Take Precautions to Stay Warm

To avoid spending extra time outside, Grace Brase of Lake View East splurged on a quicker form of travel on Tuesday. Instead of taking her typical 15-minute bus ride to her job as a hostess and server at Little Wok in Lake View, Brase decided to hail a ride on Uber, stopping off at Starbucks a block away to satisfy her coffee fix. “But I Ubered because it’s freezing, and it was worth it,” said the 26-year-old as she trotted down Broadway Street. “I got extra bundled up because our insulation isn’t great, and I’m going to be right by the door today. I feel bad for the people who have to go anywhere and can’t work remotely.”

Weather Officials Issue Cold Weather Advisory

Dangerously cold conditions prompted weather officials to issue a cold weather advisory Tuesday morning that will remain in effect until 12 a.m. Wednesday. Residents were asked to remain indoors as much as possible and to cover all exposed skin when going outside.

Relief from the Biting Cold Coming

Wind chills were forecast to be near 15 to 20 below zero Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, weather officials said. Tuesday is the coldest day so far this winter, but it was far from a record. The coldest temperature on the books for Jan. 21 was 22 degrees below zero in 1984. Some relief from the biting cold is on the way; temperatures Wednesday were forecast to be in the high teens to low 20s. But there was also a possibility of up to an inch of snow to accumulate Wednesday evening. And although the amounts are light, the cold ground temperatures could lead to slippery travel, weather officials said.

Chicago Warming Centers

The city will open warming centers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other facilities, such as libraries, also serve as warming centers and sometimes have different or longer hours. The following centers will be open beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday:

• Garfield Community Service Center
  10 S. Kedzie Ave.
  (312) 746-5400
• Englewood Community Service Center
  1140 W. 79th St
  (312) 747-0200
• Martin Luther King Community Service Center
  4314 S. Cottage Grove
  (312) 747-2300
• North Area Community Service Center
  845 W. Wilson Ave.
  (312) 744-2580
• South Chicago Community Service Center
  8650 S. Commercial Ave.
  (312) 747-0500
• Trina Davila Community Service Center
  4312 W. North Ave.
  (312) 744-2014

Tips to Stay Warm

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications has also provided several tips for people to stay warm:

• Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies while on the go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic, and impede responders heading to emergencies.
• Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. For winter preparation information, visit Chicago.gov/OEMC for details and links to other local, state, and federal resources.
• Wear several layers of loose, warm clothes.
• Keep head, hands, and feet covered when outdoors.
• Stay dry because moisture can reduce the insulation effectiveness of clothing.
• Pet owners should keep pets indoors as much as possible during bitter, numbing cold.

Conclusion

The arctic blast has brought extremely cold temperatures and wind chills to the Chicago area, making it essential for residents to take precautions to stay warm and safe. By following the tips provided and utilizing warming centers and other resources, the city is working to ensure the well-being of its residents during this challenging period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the current temperatures in the Chicago area?
A: As of Tuesday, temperatures have dropped to 9 degrees below zero, with wind chills reaching 29 below zero.

Q: What are the current weather conditions?
A: The area is experiencing bitter cold conditions, with wind chills as low as 29 below zero.

Q: Are there any warming centers available?
A: Yes, the city has opened warming centers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other facilities, such as libraries, also serve as warming centers and sometimes have different or longer hours.

Q: What are the tips for staying warm?
A: Wear several layers of loose, warm clothes, keep head, hands, and feet covered when outdoors, stay dry, and keep pets indoors as much as possible. For more information, visit Chicago.gov/OEMC.