Science & Nature
Arctic Blast to Send Chicago Into Deep Freeze. Prepare for Sub-Zero Overnight Temps
(Alixzandria Lloyd / iStock)
A blast of arctic air will send temperatures in the Chicago area plummeting into sub-zero territory over the next couple of days, according to the National Weather Service.
Prepare for overnight lows in the negative single digits and wind chills of minus 15 degrees to minus 20 degrees. Thursday will be the coldest, with daytime highs in the teens, the weather service said.
Friday will start off frigid and then gradually warm up, comparatively, with temperatures into the 20s.
(National Weather Service Chicago)
A reminder from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications: The city has six official warming centers, as well as libraries, park district fieldhouses and other locations where people can escape the bitter cold (see map below).
Deep freezes also tend to lead to a spike in electrical fires, typically due to unsafe use of space heaters. Some safety tips:
— Keep all sides of the heater at least 3 feet from beds, clothes, curtains, papers, sofas and other items that can catch fire. Also keep the heater away from water. Never touch it if you're wet.
— Never run the heater’s cord under rugs or carpeting and never power the heater with an extension cord or power strip.
— Place the heater on a stable, level surface where it will not be knocked over.
— Never leave the heater operating while unattended or while you are sleeping.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
