CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A polar vortex is sweeping across the country and an expert explained how it's affecting the Chicago area.
Kevin Donofrio with the National Weather Service said a polar vortex is basically a large area of low pressure that's accompanied by arctic air that comes from the North Pole.
"Oftentimes, the systems are really very large, so they take a long time and move across the country and that usually leads to prolonged period of cold weather,” Donofrio said. As a result, often they're accompanied by periods of snow, gusty winds, and generally unpleasant weather.
"Fairly often, it comes down into North America, and sometimes it just makes its way kind of into the Midwest. And, there's other scenarios where it really digs deep into much of the country. That's kind of what we're seeing with this system."
He said most temperatures in Chicago aren't getting above zero and that frostbite can occur in 10 to 20 minutes.
As a result, Donofrio is advising people to layer up if they have to go outside and to carry emergency kits in cars.
"You get stranded, being in that type of dangerous cold can be extremely problematic, especially if your car, your battery goes or something happens, you're in bone chilling cold.” Donofrio added.
He said bring blankets when driving and make sure phones are charged.
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