Chicago is preparing for a significant drop in temperatures, with highs in the single digits and wind chills plunging to as low as -20°F by early next week. While temperatures this week remain mild in the 30s, the city will experience a steady and sharp decline, bringing dangerously cold weather by Sunday.
Today, conditions will be sunny, though temperatures will barely exceed 20°F. Tonight, the skies will cloud over, and light snow is possible, with minimal accumulation of up to half an inch, primarily in northern suburbs. Thursday will bring mostly cloudy and breezy weather, with milder highs reaching the mid-to-upper 30s in areas northwest of the city where snow cover is limited.
By Friday, the city will see partly sunny skies and even warmer temperatures nearing 40°F. However, Friday night into early Saturday morning, there is a chance of light rain or wet snow, particularly southeast of Interstate 55. This marks the beginning of a colder trend, with Saturday’s high dropping to around 30°F.
Sunday will see temperatures plummet further, with highs reaching only the teens. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, temperatures will struggle to rise above 10°F, and wind chills will range from -10°F to -20°F, creating dangerously cold conditions. These freezing temperatures will persist into Tuesday, which could be even colder than Monday.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions as the bitter cold sets in. Warming centers and city facilities are available for those seeking relief. For assistance or to locate the nearest warming center, residents can call 311.
