
Warming centers are open in Lake and McHenry counties as dangerous cold with wind chills up to -30 degrees were forecast on the 40th anniversary of Chicago’s coldest recorded temperatures.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued two cold weather advisories for northeast Illinois, one of which will expire at 12 p.m. Monday and the second which will go into effect at 9 p.m. Monday and expire at 12 p.m. Tuesday.
The first advisory warned of very cold wind chills as low as -20. The second advisory warned of very cold wind chills as low as -25 degrees.
Some areas could briefly see wind chills as low as -30 degrees, the NWS said.
Forecasters say the cold will bring hypothermia risk with frostbite occurring in less than 30 minutes.
Forecasters recommend people limit time outdoors, cover all exposed skin and bring pets indoors.
Residents should also be cautious about freezing pipes.
The coldest conditions are expected late Monday through Tuesday morning, the NWS said. The subzero wind chills will persist through Wednesday morning.
The NWS said ice jam flooding is possible on area rivers and streams.
Monday marks the 40th anniversary of Chicago recording its coldest temperature ever on record, according to the NWS.
The record low of -27 degrees was set on January 20, 1985, and was also accompanied by the lowest wind chill on record at -57 degrees.
Nearly two dozen warming centers are open in Lake County and nine warming centers are open in McHenry County.