Temperatures were -3 to -11 on Saturday morning with wind chills of about -20 to -25. But ABC7 Chicago AccuWeather Meteorologist Jaisol Martinez says temperatures are expected to reach above zero later in the day.
Winter storm could bring several inches of snow to Chicago area
And while the Chicago area may get some relief from the dangerous cold soon, some areas could see up to 6 inches of snow on Saturday evening into Sunday.
A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect for much of the area on Saturday night, and ABC7 meteorologists have issued an AccuWeather Alert for snow and slick roads.
Cook, Lake (Ill.), DuPage, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Will and Livingston counties will be under the advisory from 6 p.m. Saturday to midnight Monday.
The advisory will impact Newton and Jasper counties from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Monday, Lake (Ind.) and Porter counties from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Monday, and LaPorte County from 7 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Monday.
Martinez said the lake effect will cause a sharp cutoff, where some locations along the lake could get 6 or 7 inches of snow. And then, 10 to 20 miles away, expected totals drop quickly.
Martinez said Kane, DeKalb, and McHenry counties, where up to 1 inch of snow is expected, are not in the advisory.
The snow will be light and fluffy and is expected to cause slick roads on Saturday night through Sunday.
Chicago-area residents were also coping with the deep freeze and dangerous wind chills all day Saturday.
Chicago-area residents coping with the deep freeze
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A winter blast hitting much of the U.S. is causing several issues, including travel troubles for those navigating the skies. More than 8,000 flights are already canceled across the nation this weekend.
Nearly 200 flights have already been canceled on Saturday at O'Hare, along with 30 at Midway.
Thousands of flights canceled across US as millions brace for massive winter storm
At least 17 states have declared a state of emergency ahead of this weather event that could bring heavy snow, ice, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures. The Federal Aviation Administration said it had planned calls with airlines and airports to prepare.
Those who are in the path of the storm, stretching from New Mexico to the South to the Northeast, are being told to stay off the road.
The FAA has also warned about airport closures. The agency says they will be working with airlines and airports on recovery efforts including snow removal and deicing planes.
Meanwhile, next week will remain very cold in Chicago.
Click here for tips about keeping yourself, others and your pets safe, as well as how to protect your homes and vehicles, in the extreme cold.