The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold warning for Chicago and the southwest suburbs Friday from 3 a.m. until noon, predicting wind chills as low as 40 degrees below zero.
Morning temperatures Friday are predicted to dip to around minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit, with dangerously cold conditions expected to persist throughout the day and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The predicted cold could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, the National Weather Service warned. A separate cold weather advisory is expected from noon Friday through 9 a.m. Saturday, with wind chills predicted to drop to 15 to 30 below zero.
In response to the severe polar plunge forecast, Cook County officials announced they are opening warming centers across the region. The facilities will open at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, and remain available around the clock through 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26.
Cook County warming center locations include the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Rd.; the Maywood Courthouse, 1500 Maybrook Dr.; and the Markham Courthouse, 16501 S. Kedzie Ave. The facilities will provide water, snacks, restrooms, and limited accommodations for pets in cages or carriers.
Several local municipalities are also operating warming centers this weekend. In Orland Park, the Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., and the Village of Orland Park Police Department, 15100 S. Ravinia Ave., will offer warm indoor spaces. The Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Louis S. Viverito Senior Center, 7745 S. Leamington Ave., Burbank, and Orland Township, 14807 Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, will operate warming centers on weekdays only.
Residents without adequate heat at home are urged to seek shelter during the cold snap. A complete list of warming center locations throughout Cook County is available online, and residents can call 2-1-1 for information about nearby services.
The warning affects Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, Kane County, and portions of central and north central Illinois. The coldest wind chills are predicted across interior portions of northern Illinois, including areas around Rockford, DeKalb, and Kendall County.
Dangerously cold conditions are expected to persist through Saturday, the National Weather Service said. Accumulating snow is predicted late Saturday into Sunday, especially southeast of a line from Peru to Waukegan, which could impact the southwest suburbs and central Illinois.
Extensive ice cover on area rivers may cause localized ice jam flooding, forecasters warned. Residents should monitor conditions along the Des Plaines River, Illinois River, and other waterways in the region.
Many local schools have announced they will switch to E-Learning on Friday, Jan. 23, in response to the extreme cold forecast. Schools that have announced the change include Chicago Public Schools, Saint Xavier University, Elim Christian School, Palos School District 118, Indian Springs School District 109, Willow Springs School District 108, Summit School District 104, Community High School District 218, Argo High School District 217, Mother McAuley High School, and Community High School District 230. Districts will update information throughout the day; parents and students are urged to check with their school district for the latest closures or transitions to E-Learning.
Metra announced it will operate a reduced schedule on all train lines Friday due to the predicted weather conditions.
The Secretary of State senior center at the Bridgeview Community Center, 7900 S. Oketo Ave., will be closed.
A Worth Park District Rummage Sale scheduled for Saturday, January 24, will also be canceled due to the extreme weather conditions. The Rummage Sale will be rescheduled and participants contacted by the park district.
Some local businesses are also closing on Friday including Tropical Sno and High 5 Heights in Palos Heights, Alsip Nursery in Frankfort, Bookies book store in Beverly.
The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security advised residents to take precautions during the extreme cold. Officials warned against using ovens for heat, bringing charcoal or gas grills indoors, or leaving portable heaters unattended. They also recommended allowing faucets to drip slightly to prevent frozen pipes and limiting time outdoors.
The National Weather Service urged residents to dress in layers with a hat, face mask, and gloves if venturing outside. Keep pets indoors as much as possible and check frequently on older family members, friends, and neighbors.