Chicago’s Dangerous Cold Weather Is ‘Astonishing’ Break From History

Chicago is experiencing dangerous cold weather with “astonishing” temperatures, as wind chills plunge as low as -23°F, posing significant risks to residents, according to a pricing culture analysis provided to Newsweek.

Why It Matters

The ongoing cold snap is not only unprecedented in its intensity but it also highlights the need for preparation in extreme weather.

Chicago’s historic deviation from seasonal norms highlights how volatile winter conditions can severely impact public safety, travel, and infrastructure.

With high winds exacerbating already freezing temperatures, experts are urging residents to stay indoors whenever possible.

What To Know

The current average temperature for Tuesday is -0.5°F, which is over 25°F below the five-year average, representing an “astonishing” -102.03 percent deviation from historical norms, according to a pricing culture analysis provided to Newsweek.

Conditions could become so extreme that frostbite could occur in as little as 20-30 minutes of exposure, warns the National Weather Service (NWS) in a cold weather advisory.

What’s The Forecast For The Rest Of The Week?

Over the next 24 hours, residents should expect dry weather but persistently frigid conditions. Wind chill values could drop as low as -23°F, accompanied by gusts up to 30 mph.

The bitter cold is expected to extend into Wednesday morning, with slight improvement as wind chills stabilize around -10°F to -20°F.

Forecasts suggest that temperatures may rise slightly later in the week, with snow chances increasing by Wednesday night. The NWS has also warned of potential ice development on rivers, which could result in ice jams and localized flooding in the region​.

How To Prepare for a Winter Storm

Residents in affected areas have been advised to keep a close eye on the latest weather forecasts by the NWS.

Remaining flexible with your plans to avoid being outside at the coldest parts of the day, such as the morning, is also recommended, as is wearing appropriately warm clothing.

“Fill up fuel tanks/batteries to at least half full/charged so that you can stay warm if you become stranded,” the NWS said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Have a cold weather survival kit if traveling.”

What People Are Saying

The National Weather Service’s Chicago office said in a post on Facebook: “The coldest wind chills are expected through this morning. Winds chills down between -20°F to -35°F can be expected area wide under this arctic air mass. If you must go out: cover all exposed skin as frostbite can occur in under 20-30 minutes.”

AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter said in an advisory sent to the media on Tuesday: “A rare winter storm will bring significant snow and ice accumulations to parts of the South that haven’t experienced weather like this in years, or even decades.

“This is not an intense, well-developed storm, but the frigid air interacting with moisture from the Gulf will produce significant snow and ice in places that rarely receive accumulations of snow and ice. This winter storm will virtually shut down travel for days in some areas.”

AccuWeather senior meteorologist and Northeast U.S. expert Bob Larson added on Tuesday: “The most remarkable aspect of the recent cold has been its persistence. The extreme cold outbreak now arriving adds an exclamation mark to what has already been a cold month of January, which according to historical average, is on average, the coldest month of the year.”

What’s Next

The city remains under a cold weather advisory as conditions are set to persist. Officials are monitoring infrastructure and emergency services closely to manage potential complications, such as power outages or icy road conditions.

The NWS continues to provide regular updates on its website and social media platforms to keep residents informed.

As Chicago braces for more cold days ahead, authorities emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness in navigating this historic weather event.