The National Weather Service has issued two cold-weather advisories for Chicago and other parts of the state this weekend, warning of “dangerously cold wind chills” that could dip as low as 20 to 25 degrees below zero.
The advisories are in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to noon Monday, and from 9 p.m. Monday to noon Tuesday in portions of central, east central, north central and northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. The “bitterly cold” temperatures can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, according to the weather service.
“After the sun starts to go down in the late afternoon (Sunday), temperatures will fall even more, and when we expect wind chills for the city around 20 below,” said NWS meteorologist Kevin Doom.
While cold snaps aren’t uncommon at some point in the winter, Doom said these temperatures are much lower than the typical 31 degrees this time of year. The forecast shows wind gusts of 15 to 20 miles per hour Sunday and Monday.
The weather service recommended wearing appropriate clothing outdoors, including a hat and gloves. It also encouraged people to keep pets indoors as much as possible and to make frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors.
More Top Picks Seed Startings
“If you have to go outside, make sure you’re bundling up,” Doom said. “This definitely isn’t the kind of cold to mess around with.”
More than 200 city buildings, including libraries, park district buildings and senior service centers, will serve as warming centers during the cold snap. The public also can go to any of Chicago’s 22 police stations to keep warm.