After an unseasonably mild December, Chicago could be in for some frigid cold temps in the new year.
According to multiple reports, the infamous polar vortex phenomenon is poised to bring colder-than-average temps and snowfall to Chicago during the week of January 6.
While the term polar vortex might sound scary, its nothing Chicago hasn’t seen before. Here’s everything to know to keep you safe and warm during the weather event.
What is the polar vortex?
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a polar vortex is a large area of cold, low pressure air that forms at earth’s poles. During winter the air can expand southward, sending freezing a freezing blast into parts of North America.
Has the phenomenon impacted Chicago before?
The polar vortex phenomenon is hardly uncommon in Chicago, as it often impacts our city every few years.
Almost a decade ago, the polar vortex also coincided with the beginning of the year, bringing lows of -16 degrees to Chicago on January 6, 2014.
In 2019 the weather event brought the coldest temperatures in decades to the Windy City, with a record-breaking low of -23 recorded at O’Hare on January 30, according to the NWS.
How to prepare
The NWS notes that while the polar vortex isn’t cause for alarm, those in affected areas should prepare for severe cold.
The city of Chicago advises residents to dress appropriately, limit time outdoors, and ensure access to adequate heating during extreme cold snaps.
Click here for a full guide to winter weather safety in Chicago.