CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Chicago area remains in a deep freeze as bitter cold sticks around for a third consecutive day.
A Wind Chill Warning remains in effect until noon today for Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, Kendall, and Grundy Counties as well as portions of Will County, according to the National Weather Service. Wind Chill levels could be as low as 35 below zero this morning.
A Wind Chill Advisory will be in place until 9 a.m. Wednesday. The dangerous cold caused the Chicago Public Schools to cancel classes and after-school programming for today.
AccuWeather says today’s high temperature will be a measly 1 degree, but, with westerly winds, it will feel as if it’s 20 below zero.
Tomorrow, we’ll begin to warm up, relatively speaking, reaching a high in the mid-teens, according to AccuWeather. The slight thawing will be accompanied by a band of snow that could begin to fall Wednesday night, the NWS says.
Keep those long johns and ski masks handy because by Thursday night the region will be hit by another blast of arctic air. The NWS says wind chills will once again dip well below zero and will remain dangerously low until Sunday morning.
A real deal warmup should occur early next week, with temperatures possibly approaching 40 degrees.
NWS Chicago reminds residents to limit their time outside and to be sure to cover all exposed skin. Pets should not spend any more than 10 minutes at a time outside.
Where to get warm
Officials in Chicago and Cook County have opened dozens of additional warming centers.
Saturday, Mayor Brandon Johnson said the lower level of Harold Washington Library would serve as a 24/7 warming center through Wednesday. He adds that migrants awaiting shelter at the landing zone would be transported to the library. The city's six other warming centers, are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago warming centers
-Englewood Community Service Center, 1140 W. 79th St.
-Garfield Community Service Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
-Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
-North Area Community Service Center, 845 W. Wilson Ave.
-South Chicago Community Service Center, 8560 S. Commercial Ave.
-Trina Davila Community Service Center, 4312 W. North Ave.
On Monday, the City of Chicago said multiple Chicago Park District facilities will serve as warming centers all over the city. Find a full list of Chicago Park District warming centers here, while a complete list of warming centers located in the city can be found here.
The district said landscape crews have been working to make sure the sidewalks and parking lots are clear of snow and ice. Meanwhile, it closed outdoor skating rinks and the Lakefront Path between North Avenue and Ohio Street Beach.
The Department of Family and Support Services has activated drop-in centers to provide extended hours to people experiencing homelessness. Find the full list of locations here.
Cook County is opening 24-hour warming centers in the north, west and south suburbs for residents, who do not have "adequate access to heat". The warming centers will open at 3 p.m. Saturday and run continuously until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 16.
The county’s warming centers will provide water and snacks as well as access to restrooms. Residents are permitted to bring pets in cages or carriers.
Cook County warming centers, open 24/7
-Skokie Courthouse: 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
-Maywood Courthouse: 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, IL 60153
-Markham Courthouse: 16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Markham, IL 60428
Individual municipalities around the county also operate warming centers. The Hours of operation as well as locations can be found here.
The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security is reminding residents to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves during extreme, cold weather.
-Never use your oven for heat.
-Never bring charcoal or gas grills indoors (they are a carbon monoxide hazard).
-Make sure all portable heaters are unplugged when not in use. Use electric space heaters with extreme caution. Avoid placing them near curtains or other flammable materials and turn them off before going to bed.
-Keep heat at adequate levels or leave faucets open with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
-Keep moving. Your body generates its own heat when you engage in physical activities.
WBBM's Nancy Harty contributed to this report.
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