(WTTW News)

Chicagoans woke up Friday to sub-zero temperatures, the first time in nearly a year the mercury has dipped into the negatives. In anticipation of the cold snap, officials issued reminders and tips.

Honorary Ways, Silver Skates & Chicago River

Geoffrey Baer gets the cold, hard truth on why the Chicago River doesn't freeze over even during Chicago's bitter winters in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Last year's winter was known as "Chiberia." Will this year's winter be a repeat? We talk with WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling about what to expect in the winter weather forecast.

Tis the Season

The holiday season is upon us which means a rundown of winter planting and festive decor with Eliza Fournier from the Chicago Botanic Garden.

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Eliza Fournier joins us to talk about spring gardening. She brings tips and reminders on how to clear out the damage from a long Chicago winter and prepare for bountiful seasons ahead.

Brutal winter conditions this year devastated the bird population in the Midwest region. The Field Museum has collected roughly 60 specimens but many more have perished as a result of starvation from limited open water on Lake Michigan. We speak with Field Museum research assistant and ornithologist Josh Engel about the phenomenon. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Chicago's new bike share program was a hit with commuters this summer, but can it hold up during the winter? And what happens behind the scenes to make sure bikes are available and ready to go at one of the 300 locations throughout the city? Paris Schutz takes a rare look inside. Read an article.

It's Chicago's warmest January 29th on record -- with temperatures expected back in the teens later in the week. We talk with a meteorologist about what it all means.

We learn winter gardening tips, and why now is the best time to look for signs of the Emerald Ash Borer, from Chicago Botanic Garden's Eliza Fournier.

Snow storm in Chicago, Illinois, 1926. Courtesy of Chicago History Museum.

It was the blizzard of the century when the century was still young. We take a look at the photographic record of some Windy City Winters of long ago.

Snowy Owl, courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo

The arctic nomad known as the snowy owl is rarely seen in Chicago in the winter. But this year is different. Ash-har Quraishi explains why the great white owl is visiting, and how you can help name one.

There was no white Christmas for Chicago this year. So will it ever snow? We examine this winter's mild weather.

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