CHICAGO — Chicagoans woke up to a hefty accumulation of snow Sunday as residents are still battling dangerously cold conditions that are likely to continue.
A winter storm warning is in effect for Chicago until 4 p.m. Sunday, when as much to 6-12 inches of snow could fall in areas along the lakefront, according to the National Weather Service. More in-land areas could see see a snowfall totals closer to 4 inches.
The lake effect snow system, which sees storms gather more moisture and power when they move over large bodies of water, will move out of the area Sunday evening, according to the weather service.
But the cold temperatures will persist.
A cold weather advisory has also been issued for the city from midnight-noon Monday. That’s when wind chill temperatures could make it feel as cold as negative 25 below, the weather service reported.
Tuesday could see a high of 20 degrees, but morning wind chills will still be in the minus 5 to minus 15 range. Similar conditions will continue into Wednesday, which could also see wind chills of minus 15 that morning, according to the weather service.
Two people stand in silhouette against the Chicago skyline as “sea smoke” rises off Lake Michigan during sunrise at Montrose Harbor on Jan. 23. Credit: Victor Hilitski for Block Club Chicago
The dangerous cold swept into the area Thursday night, causing Chicago Public Schools and many businesses and institutions to close on Friday.
Warming Centers Open
Warming Centers available on Saturday and Sunday
Garfield Center at 10 S. Kedzie, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. each day.
Chicago Public Library locations, open during operating hours.
Chicago Park District locations, open during operating hours.
Chicago Police Districts, 24 hours.
How To Dress
Dress in layers.
Don’t leave your skin exposed to the cold.
Remove wet clothing.
During periods of extreme cold, officials have advised Chicagoans to cover up and stay inside as much as possible. Frostbite can develop on exposed skin in just a few minutes during deep cold.
The National Weather Service has advised people who do go outside during cold snaps to dress in layers. During 2019’s polar vortex — when it felt as cold as 50 below zero at times — the weather agency suggested Chicagoans wear a warm hat, a face mask, three or more layers of upper-body clothing (including one insulating layer), gloves, waterproof boots and two or more layers of lower-body clothing.
People should remove clothing that becomes wet if they’ve been exposed to cold, officials have said.
Chicago Heat Ordinance
Requirements vary.
Call 311 if you have an issue.
Landlords are required to supply heat to units during the winter under the Chicago Heat Ordinance.
People who live in a residential building with shared heating should have their heat be at least 68 degrees 8:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and at least 66 degrees 10:30 p.m.-8:30 a.m. People who live in a building where units have individual heating equipment should have equipment that is able to keep their unit at at least 68 degrees.
Landlords who don’t follow the ordinance can be fined $500-$1,000 per violation per day, and “system malfunctions is not an excuse,” former buildings Commissioner Matt Beaudet said in 2022. Tenants should immediately call 311 if their landlord doesn’t provide adequate heat, he said.
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