Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Chicago—last weekend’s 10 inches of snowfall was only the beginning of premature winter weather in the Windy City.
Predictions from the National Weather Service (NWS) show another snowy and bone-chillingly cold weekend in Chicago ahead.
Here’s what to expect and how to prepare.
Highs below freezing and high winds, plus snow Sunday
Chicagoans woke up to deceptively sunny conditions Friday morning following days of cloud cover. But the clear skies were coupled with bitter cold temps and wind gusts up to 25 mph.
Friday’s high will top out at just 28 degrees, followed by an overnight low of 25 degrees.
Conditions will remain largely the same Saturday with clear skies and a high of 25 degrees around noon, according to the NWS.
Saturday night is when things will take a turn for the snowier. The NWS predicts a 70% chance of precipitation into early Sunday morning with new snow accumulation up to 1 inch possible.
Snow will continue until around noon Sunday, with the chance for flurries later in the day and wind gusts up to 25 mph. The high Sunday will reach 31 degrees before plummeting to an overnight low of just 16 degrees.
Staying warm and safe
During times of extreme cold, safety is imperative when venturing outdoors. Chicagoans should opt for indoor activities this weekend as temperatures reach dangerous lows.
For those who have no choice but to be outside, here are a few tips for staying safe according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
- Limit time outdoors. Break longer tasks into shorter ones, with indoor rest periods in between. Do not let children play outside unsupervised or for long periods of time.
- Wear several layers of dry, loose, warm clothing.
- Pay special attention to keeping your head, ears, hands and feet warm. Wear a hat, scarf, gloves, thick socks and waterproof winter boots. Stay dry to help your clothes keep you warmer.
- Pay extra attention to your daily needs. Get enough sleep. Eat high energy foods. Drink warm beverages and soup to help your body stay warm.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages, which can impair your judgment or cause you to lose consciousness while outside in the cold. Alcohol also dilates blood vessels, which makes the body lose heat faster.
For more cold weather tips and resources, click here.
More snow next week
Additional chances for snow will arrive next week Monday through Wednesday—for now let’s just focus on making it through this weekend. Stay tuned for future updates Chicago!
