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Commuters standing on an elevated platform at Pulaski Road meet the cold as icy Arctic air sent Chicago area temperatures down to 1 below zero in January 1982.
Commuters standing on an elevated platform at Pulaski Road meet the cold as icy Arctic air sent Chicago area temperatures down to 1 below zero in January 1982.
Officer Joe Lang has the coldest beat in Lincoln Park in 1921.
Officer Joe Lang has the coldest beat in Lincoln Park in 1921.
Judy Grego, from left, Emily Harris, a young woman whose shivering prevented her from giving the photographer her name, and Betty Joe Braze wait for the evening bus on a cold and windy Michigan Avenue on Jan. 9, 1962.
Judy Grego, from left, Emily Harris, a young woman whose shivering prevented her from giving the photographer her name, and Betty Joe Braze wait for the evening bus on a cold and windy Michigan Avenue on Jan. 9, 1962.
Arthur LaCaille uses a gasoline torch to light gas jets that thaw out switches in the rail yard outside LaSalle Street Station in Chicago on Dec. 26, 1944.
Arthur LaCaille uses a gasoline torch to light gas jets that thaw out switches in the rail yard outside LaSalle Street Station in Chicago on Dec. 26, 1944.
Area residents put on their winter faces against the record-breaking cold, made especially bitter by a minus-23-degree wind-chill factor on Dec. 19, 1983, in Chicago.
Area residents put on their winter faces against the record-breaking cold, made especially bitter by a minus-23-degree wind-chill factor on Dec. 19, 1983, in Chicago.
A pedestrian does a little unscheduled skating on the Madison Street Bridge in December 1980 when plummeting temperatures, heavy winds, and about 2 inches of snow created icy conditions and slowed traffic. Our pedestrian kept a firm grip on his briefcase, but his hat was retrieved by passers-by.
A pedestrian does a little unscheduled skating on the Madison Street Bridge in December 1980 when plummeting temperatures, heavy winds, and about 2 inches of snow created icy conditions and slowed traffic. Our pedestrian kept a firm grip on his briefcase, but his hat was retrieved by passers-by.
The lake ship Blue Comet has a heavy sheathing of ice as it lies in the Chicago River west of the lakefront lock after a wintry crossing of Lake Michigan from St. Joseph, Mich., on Jan. 24, 1961. Neil Hansen, a member of the crew, starts chopping at ice to free the radio antennas so they can be lowered, enabling the ship to pass beneath the river bridges.
The lake ship Blue Comet has a heavy sheathing of ice as it lies in the Chicago River west of the lakefront lock after a wintry crossing of Lake Michigan from St. Joseph, Mich., on Jan. 24, 1961. Neil Hansen, a member of the crew, starts chopping at ice to free the radio antennas so they can be lowered, enabling the ship to pass beneath the river bridges.
Women wait for a CTA bus in the bone-biting winter weather on Dec. 29, 1976, in Chicago.
Women wait for a CTA bus in the bone-biting winter weather on Dec. 29, 1976, in Chicago.
A bundled up pedestrian braves a wind-chill factor of 35 below zero on Michigan Avenue on Jan. 7, 1980, in Chicago.
A bundled up pedestrian braves a wind-chill factor of 35 below zero on Michigan Avenue on Jan. 7, 1980, in Chicago.
Masked against the bitter cold, a Chicagoan shovels his car out of drifted and plowed snow near 17th and California on Jan. 10, 1982, in Chicago.
Masked against the bitter cold, a Chicagoan shovels his car out of drifted and plowed snow near 17th and California on Jan. 10, 1982, in Chicago.
As a northwesterly wind and a descending Arctic cold wave moved into the Chicago area on Jan. 27, 1966, pedestrians found the going a bit rough at Michigan and Chicago Avenues. The U.S. Army's wind chill chart indicated that the combination of wind and low temperature in Chicago was the equivalent to a windless temperature of more than 40 degrees below zero in its effect on exposed flesh. The wind was blowing at 21 miles an hour at the time, and the temperature at Midway Airport was 1 degree above zero.
As a northwesterly wind and a descending Arctic cold wave moved into the Chicago area on Jan. 27, 1966, pedestrians found the going a bit rough at Michigan and Chicago Avenues. The U.S. Army’s wind chill chart indicated that the combination of wind and low temperature in Chicago was the equivalent to a windless temperature of more than 40 degrees below zero in its effect on exposed flesh. The wind was blowing at 21 miles an hour at the time, and the temperature at Midway Airport was 1 degree above zero.
Loop workers tramp through the frigid air on Dec. 18, 1983, in Chicago.
Loop workers tramp through the frigid air on Dec. 18, 1983, in Chicago.
Lawrence Kulik, shrouded by steam from his boiling radiator, got caught with low anti-freeze in near zero cold at Ogden Avenue and Washington Boulevard on Jan. 24, 1952, in Chicago.
Lawrence Kulik, shrouded by steam from his boiling radiator, got caught with low anti-freeze in near zero cold at Ogden Avenue and Washington Boulevard on Jan. 24, 1952, in Chicago.
A woman tries to keep warm as she walks on Michigan Avenue on Jan. 20, 1970, during cold weather in Chicago.
A woman tries to keep warm as she walks on Michigan Avenue on Jan. 20, 1970, during cold weather in Chicago.
Tabby, a cat owned by Arthur Johnson of 5523 N. Nashville Ave., sniffs at frozen milk inside glass bottles on the back steps of the Johnson home on Nov. 30, 1947.
Tabby, a cat owned by Arthur Johnson of 5523 N. Nashville Ave., sniffs at frozen milk inside glass bottles on the back steps of the Johnson home on Nov. 30, 1947.
Looking south from North Avenue on the shore of Lake Michigan, the ice provides evidence of the cold weather. Temperatures dropped to 10 above zero in Chicago on Dec. 6, 1936, and near zero was predicted for the day after.
Looking south from North Avenue on the shore of Lake Michigan, the ice provides evidence of the cold weather. Temperatures dropped to 10 above zero in Chicago on Dec. 6, 1936, and near zero was predicted for the day after.
Richard Kelly, 4, of 5733 S. Newland Ave., plays in the near-zero weather next to a cascade of ice from a leaky fire hydrant at Archer and Newland Avenues in Chicago on Jan. 15, 1963.
Richard Kelly, 4, of 5733 S. Newland Ave., plays in the near-zero weather next to a cascade of ice from a leaky fire hydrant at Archer and Newland Avenues in Chicago on Jan. 15, 1963.
Vapor rises from the Chicago River almost obscuring the show boat moored along the bank at Ontario Street on Jan. 29, 1965. Similar scenes were evident in Lake Michigan as air temperatures fell below those of the water.
Vapor rises from the Chicago River almost obscuring the show boat moored along the bank at Ontario Street on Jan. 29, 1965. Similar scenes were evident in Lake Michigan as air temperatures fell below those of the water.
His breath rising in plumes of steam, jogger Jim Dikert maintains a frigid regimen along Clark Street on Jan. 20, 1985.
His breath rising in plumes of steam, jogger Jim Dikert maintains a frigid regimen along Clark Street on Jan. 20, 1985.
Marian Scheib, left, and Mary Jane Mahoney, both of Chicago, stopped to look at the thermometer on Michigan Avenue near Superior Street on Jan. 29, 1951. The thermometer indicated it was below zero.
Marian Scheib, left, and Mary Jane Mahoney, both of Chicago, stopped to look at the thermometer on Michigan Avenue near Superior Street on Jan. 29, 1951. The thermometer indicated it was below zero.
Edward Pollins, a news vendor at the corner of Division and Clark Streets, tries to keep warm from his fire as the mercury dipped to minus 12 on Dec. 16, 1951.
Edward Pollins, a news vendor at the corner of Division and Clark Streets, tries to keep warm from his fire as the mercury dipped to minus 12 on Dec. 16, 1951.
Autos parked in the 1600 block of Madison Street looked like this on Nov. 23, 1950, after firemen fought a $50,000 blaze which drove 25 people from their homes in the zero degree cold
Autos parked in the 1600 block of Madison Street looked like this on Nov. 23, 1950, after firemen fought a $50,000 blaze which drove 25 people from their homes in the zero degree cold
Policeman William Jorgenson directs traffic at LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive in sub-zero temperatures on Jan. 7, 1942.
Policeman William Jorgenson directs traffic at LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive in sub-zero temperatures on Jan. 7, 1942.
The bitterly cold weather caused rapid condensation of the steam that rolled, with smoke, from this New York Central locomotive as it passed 18th Street near Clark Street, as it left Chicago on Jan. 21, 1947.
The bitterly cold weather caused rapid condensation of the steam that rolled, with smoke, from this New York Central locomotive as it passed 18th Street near Clark Street, as it left Chicago on Jan. 21, 1947.
A towboat churns along the Chicago River, east of Michigan Avenue, on Jan. 31, 1966, breaking a channel through the ice as below-zero temperatures moderated the city.
A towboat churns along the Chicago River, east of Michigan Avenue, on Jan. 31, 1966, breaking a channel through the ice as below-zero temperatures moderated the city.
Barbara Maddux is dressed for the cold weather with a scarf tied around her head and ears on Jan. 21, 1963, at State and Randolph streets in Chicago.
Barbara Maddux is dressed for the cold weather with a scarf tied around her head and ears on Jan. 21, 1963, at State and Randolph streets in Chicago.
A Chicagoan tries to stay warm on Jan. 28, 1965.
A Chicagoan tries to stay warm on Jan. 28, 1965.
Mankind is taking a backseat to nature on another sub-zero morning on Jan. 26, 1982, in Chicago. Steam rising off the Chicago River merges with steam from the skyline.
Mankind is taking a backseat to nature on another sub-zero morning on Jan. 26, 1982, in Chicago. Steam rising off the Chicago River merges with steam from the skyline.
The steaming breath and icy mustache of a pedestrian in the Loop tells the story of a frigid morning on Feb. 3, 1981, in Chicago.The overnight low was 5 below zero.
The steaming breath and icy mustache of a pedestrian in the Loop tells the story of a frigid morning on Feb. 3, 1981, in Chicago.The overnight low was 5 below zero.
Bundled against the cold, women with their babies wait for a bus on Jan. 9, 1982, near Wells and Division streets in Chicago. They are among those who have no choice but to occasionally venture into the cold weather.
Bundled against the cold, women with their babies wait for a bus on Jan. 9, 1982, near Wells and Division streets in Chicago. They are among those who have no choice but to occasionally venture into the cold weather.
Billy Lundell, 3, checks out a frozen fountain in Lincoln Park during the cold Chicago weather on Jan. 22, 1939.
Billy Lundell, 3, checks out a frozen fountain in Lincoln Park during the cold Chicago weather on Jan. 22, 1939.
Snow and wind wip commuters in Chicago in 1972.
Snow and wind wip commuters in Chicago in 1972.
Clouds of exhaust fumes leave trails along the Kennedy Expressway near Montrose Avenue as motorists brave subzero temperatures on Jan. 29, 1965.
Clouds of exhaust fumes leave trails along the Kennedy Expressway near Montrose Avenue as motorists brave subzero temperatures on Jan. 29, 1965.
An ice bridge between pilings frames a deserted lake front near Fullerton Avenue as the bitter cold continues its grip on the city on Jan. 18, 1966.
An ice bridge between pilings frames a deserted lake front near Fullerton Avenue as the bitter cold continues its grip on the city on Jan. 18, 1966.
Pedestrians, firemen, and those who had to work out-of-doors will be the first to testify that it was freezing on Jan. 27, 1971, at State and Randolph in Chicago.
Pedestrians, firemen, and those who had to work out-of-doors will be the first to testify that it was freezing on Jan. 27, 1971, at State and Randolph in Chicago.
Huddling around a fire in a trash can in order to keep warm during freezing weather are Peoples Gas Co. employees Thomas Greenway, from left, Thomas Crook and John Gardner. The employees were working in an alley between Michigan and Wabash avenues on Jan. 5, 1970.
Huddling around a fire in a trash can in order to keep warm during freezing weather are Peoples Gas Co. employees Thomas Greenway, from left, Thomas Crook and John Gardner. The employees were working in an alley between Michigan and Wabash avenues on Jan. 5, 1970.
Denny Liapes, left, works on starting the stalled car of Marine Pvt. Paul W. Andrus on Greenleaf Avenue next to Armstrong Elementary School on Jan. 15, 1963. Liapes, with his Red Radio dispatch Jeep, started the Rambler.
Denny Liapes, left, works on starting the stalled car of Marine Pvt. Paul W. Andrus on Greenleaf Avenue next to Armstrong Elementary School on Jan. 15, 1963. Liapes, with his Red Radio dispatch Jeep, started the Rambler.
Commuters bundle up any way they can to escape the cold wind in February 1981. The frigid weather is predicted to continue two more days.
Commuters bundle up any way they can to escape the cold wind in February 1981. The frigid weather is predicted to continue two more days.
Some places, it was pretty cold inside, too, on Jan. 13, 1975. The ice in the water cooler and the warm clothes worn by Adrienne Drell of the City News Bureau bear witness to what happened in the City Hall press room over the weekend. It was nearly 60 degrees on Friday, so somebody left the windows open, with this predictable result.
Some places, it was pretty cold inside, too, on Jan. 13, 1975. The ice in the water cooler and the warm clothes worn by Adrienne Drell of the City News Bureau bear witness to what happened in the City Hall press room over the weekend. It was nearly 60 degrees on Friday, so somebody left the windows open, with this predictable result.
Pedestrians battle the elements while crossing the State Street bridge in Chicago on Feb. 12, 1985.
Pedestrians battle the elements while crossing the State Street bridge in Chicago on Feb. 12, 1985.
Chicagoans who ventured downtown on Dec. 6, 1977, did so undercover.
Chicagoans who ventured downtown on Dec. 6, 1977, did so undercover.
Conrad Szuberla holds his 19-month-old daughter Claudia at State and Randolph Streets on Jan. 21, 1963 during a cold Chicago winter.
Conrad Szuberla holds his 19-month-old daughter Claudia at State and Randolph Streets on Jan. 21, 1963 during a cold Chicago winter.
Children wearing face masks to protect themselves from the bitter cold leave school at Kostner Avenue and 80th Street in Chicago on Jan. 9, 1970.
Children wearing face masks to protect themselves from the bitter cold leave school at Kostner Avenue and 80th Street in Chicago on Jan. 9, 1970.
Vapor caused by subzero temperatures envelopes boats tied up in the North Branch of the Chicago River, just south of the Division Street Bridge on Jan. 30, 1966.
Vapor caused by subzero temperatures envelopes boats tied up in the North Branch of the Chicago River, just south of the Division Street Bridge on Jan. 30, 1966.
A pedestrian dressed for the frigid weather in Chicago on Jan. 7, 1970, walks down Michigan Avenue.
A pedestrian dressed for the frigid weather in Chicago on Jan. 7, 1970, walks down Michigan Avenue.
Mrs. Alan Kilburg tries to keep her two children warm under her fur coat while waiting for her husband on Michigan Avenue on Nov. 22, 1970. Shivering in the season's first cold wave are Michael, 4, and his sister Beth, 2.
Mrs. Alan Kilburg tries to keep her two children warm under her fur coat while waiting for her husband on Michigan Avenue on Nov. 22, 1970. Shivering in the season’s first cold wave are Michael, 4, and his sister Beth, 2.
When the mercury drops it seems as though the bus always runs late. Joseph Galus tries to keep his ears warm as he awaits his tardy carrier on Jan. 6, 1970.
When the mercury drops it seems as though the bus always runs late. Joseph Galus tries to keep his ears warm as he awaits his tardy carrier on Jan. 6, 1970.