Dangerous -20 to -40 wind chills hit Chicago; snow from massive winter storm expected this weekend
Here's what to know about cancellations, travel, safety, essential workers and... 'exploding trees?'
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago area is under an Extreme Cold Warning on Friday as much of the U.S. braces for a major winter storm.
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The warning was upgraded from a previous Extreme Cold Watch; it went into effect at 3 a.m.
ABC7 meteorologists said that although the warning expires at noon on Friday, it will be dangerously cold all day.
SEE ALSO: Warming centers open in city, suburbs as bitter cold moves into Chicago area | Full list
A Cold Weather Advisory will impact the entire Chicago area from noon Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday.
Low temperatures will be around -5 to -15 Friday. Wind chills will be around -20 to -40.
Temperatures will most likely stay below zero all day Friday, but the high will officially be 3 degrees, which we are expected to hit around midnight.
Extreme cold or not, ABC7 saw some folks taking a plunge of their own on Friday morning.
Four people jumped or eased into Lake Michigan.
One of them was Dan O'Connor, who has been jumping into the lake each day for several years.
"Stay inside. Buy a heated blanket. Try not to be outside longer than 5 to 10 minutes. I know frostbite is a danger right now," said Chicago resident Olivia Rekittke. "Wow! It is painful. It is like you're not able to have any skin bearing at all. You have to cover up everything."
SEE ALSO | Man continues mission to run every single street in Chicago amid extreme cold
And, have you heard about the threat of "exploding trees?" It's an idea that has spread quickly on social media, and there's some truth to it.
Apparently, the sap inside trees can freeze, and if temperatures drop rapidly enough, that can cause trees to crack and make a loud noise.
Experts explained the phenomenon to ABC7 and the lasting damage it can cause.
Frostbite risk
The temperatures could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
"It's really important they wear a number of layers, staying very warm, but also staying very dry. Making sure you're also not wearing anything very, very tight that restricts any blood flow," Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital Dr. Ameer Sharifzadeh said. "If you start to feel any kind of tingling or numbness, any a lot of pain, absolutely get indoors, make sure you're getting warm."
Closures and cancellations
Chicago Public Schools canceled classes for Friday due to the dangerously cold weather. To see the full list of school closures for districts across the entire Chicago area, click here.
Most Chicago-area county courthouses, government buildings and outdoor spaces, museums, businesses, colleges and more places have announced widespread closures for Friday as well.
For families in need of a fun accessible and affordable indoor activity, the Chicago's Children Museum at Navy Pier will be offering buy one, get one free admission and 50% off Navy Pier parking on Friday.
"One of the wonderful things about our space on Navy Pier is that we do have an indoor garage so folks can get to us and get out and walk entirely indoors safely," said Noah Cruickshank with the Chicago Children's Museum.
The Goddard School in Roscoe Village says it will open its educational facilities to families with children 6 weeks to 6 years old in need of childcare during the day Friday, hoping to ease the burden off working parents.
"Bottom line is, they will need childcare services tomorrow, right?" Goddard School Roscoe Village owner Boris Kholyavsky said. "And how do we do that? How do we be a good neighbor in our community and support our families?"
The 2026 Chicago Plunge was canceled due to the extreme conditions; however the after party at HQ Beercade will continue, The Chicago Polar Bear Club said.
Postal workers, truck drivers brave extreme cold conditions
There was not much traffic on the roads Friday because most people were rightfully staying inside. But, that is not the case for many workers who braved the weather to get Americans their essentials.
A sworn oath to serve no matter the weather conditions, U.S. Postal Workers hit the ground in Chicago, delivering mail despite plummeting wind chills.
"The motto is no rain, no sleet, no snow, we have to go deliver the mail and provide the service to our community," NALC 11 President Elise Foster said.
Foster was a letter carrier for decades before becoming the president of the letter carrier union's 11th branch in Chicago. She says she shared all the advice she could with her carriers as they're also sending out stewards to check on carriers along their routes.
"It's cold. It's a safety hazard and safety conditions we have to take into consideration the first that's safety," Foster said. "We have them layer up keep it moving no stopping and talking to customers like we usually do it's about being safe... In my 31 year career I have not seen them suspend service were required to come to work and we have to make that attempt."
Foster says the carriers are only operating trucks that have heat inside, while some carriers on the road said they dressed up in at least four layers.
"You're gonna be layered up, have a lot of clothes on and you don't want to put too much on because then you start sweating and then get cold so you have to adjust to your body temperature you have to listen to your body," Foster said.
It's a similar experience for truck drivers, hitting the roads despite freezing conditions in Chicago and driving through snow storms that are blanketing much of the country.
"It's not bad for me. I was born in the cold," said Osyrus, a truck driver heading to Georgia. "I use common sense I pull over I don't put myself in that situation."
Some drivers say it would of course be nice to be at home, but days like Friday remind them why they do the job.
"That's what gets us out of bed we go out here and we're called to serve just gotta do the best we can," said Jeremy, a truck driver heading to Vegas.
Seeking indoor activities during dangerous cold
People were escaping the cold by seeking out indoor activities.
In Schaumburg, a fishing and outdoor expo reeled in many people in, and it was "game on" in Hoffman Estates, where bowling and video games kept people entertained and warm.
It will probably be a few months before anyone can take boats out on the water in the Chicago area, but they can dream of summer. And that's what a lot of people here and all over the area were doing Friday, finding things to do indoors.
Most students had no in-person school Friday, so Chris Lepretre brought his kids to Schaumburg to get a little practice fishing and get ready for warmer temperatures a couple months from now.
"Kids had e-learning," Lepretre said. "We did that this morning and came here to keep 'em busy for the rest of the afternoon."
This is the 15th year for the Chicagoland Fishing Expo in Schaumburg. They have everything from boats to fishing gear and live seminars, with experts using this 5,000-gallon tank, and fishing simulators that allow attendees to cast a line and feel what it's like to catch a big one.
"It's a really great opportunity for them to do something inside, thinking about being outside in the warm weather later," Chicagoland Fishing Expo CEO Tod Alberto said.
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It was plenty warm inside the Main Event in Hoffman Estates, where 5-year-old Kennedy Dickerson got in some quality time bowling with dad.
"We did a couple of math, reading lessons and all that," father Jack Dickerson said. "Came out here for lunch and gonna head back home."
The Main Event has all kinds of activities, including a huge arcade. Most importantly on a day when it's dangerously cold outside, it's warm inside there.
"The phones have been ringing off the hook," said Keith Puralewski with Main Event. "We're looking at getting really busy."
The three-day fishing expo in Schaumburg was also pretty busy for a Friday, and they expect big crowds through the weekend.
"There aren't too many places right now you can find around Chicago that there isn't a lot of ice or that you would even want to be outside.," Alberto said.
The show was open until 8 p.m. Friday and continues through Sunday, which is just about as long as the forecast for the extreme cold.
Hundreds of flights canceled nationwide ahead of monster winter storm
On Saturday into Sunday, a major storm hitting the south and northeast of the U.S. will likely bring some snow to the southern suburbs of Chicago and northwest Indiana.
As of 11:10 a.m. Friday, there are 55 cancellations at O'Hare and nine at Midway as dangerous cold sweeps across the nation.
O'Hare was busy throughout the morning.
"Just getting here was a struggle just because of how cold it was, like, my knees," said traveler Taneisha Jones. "Fingers crossed everything goes well, because we're going to the Bahamas, because we need a break from this cold, frigid air."
According to FlightAware, more than 1,300 Saturday flights have been canceled nationwide. Delta is canceling flights in at least five states with other major airlines also offering flight changes with no fees.
"We were really concerned that if it got really cold or if it rained or anything like that, then they would have a problem deicing the plane and we'd get stuck here," said traveler Jeremy Segal. "There was a waiver that said you can change your flight for free and it was like, 'Oh no, does that mean they're going to cancel it?'"
Travelers in Chicago bundled up on Friday morning to make it to the airport. Many of them are skipping town to escape the extreme cold.
"We're going to Palm Springs, California. Hopefully, it's a little warmer than this. And in lieu of snow, they have something called sand," said travelers Frank and Ginny Comber.
"We're going to Florida, and I'm gonna have my toes in the sand and beer in my hand by noon," said traveler Mike Ryan.
More than 90 million people across 23 states are already under winter storm watches.
People are bracing for the monster winter storm set to bring damaging ice and heavy snow.
Another factor is the extreme cold, which could strain power grids and lead to widespread blackouts.
"I'm hoping to avoid the snowstorm and my flight won't get canceled," said traveler Rama Shankar, who is traveling to Newark to visit her daughter.
"I even texted my son-in-law and daughter and said should I cancel the flight? Because I'm more worried, and on their end, they'll be driving," Shankar said.
The impact could stretch more than 1,500 miles, from the plains across the south and into the northeast.
Snow should begin in the Chicago area on Saturday evening.
It is expected to be a dry, fluffy snow, which may elevated some totals.
Areas in the LaSalle County to Gary line and south of that are most likely to see more than 4 inches of snow.
Lake-effect snow is possible in the Chicago area on Monday morning.
Protecting vehicles from extreme cold
Meanwhile, AAA braced for a spike in roadside assistance calls.
Aside from layers, drivers heading out on Friday or this weekend will want to make sure they have an emergency car kit.
You can never go wrong with snacks and water. AAA also says your safety kit should have a phone charger, jumper cables and extra blankets and clothes just to be safe.
"We really recommend people head out with warm gear in their car and an emergency kit in their car. You're going to want that warm gear if you get stranded on the side of the road. Have a charged cell phone with you, and we really recommend that people don't try to fix a tire yourself on the side of the road. The roads are really dangerous," said AAA spokesperson Beth Mosher.
Drivers will also want to make sure they are prepared on the roads by double checking car batteries. AAA also says electric vehicle owners should be careful as these cold temperatures can cut your range by up to 40%.
Those expecting to be on the road during Chicago's deep freeze have a few things they need to know before ending up in deep, possibly dangerous trouble.
"The biggest thing is the battery, making sure you have a good strong battery that's been tested that's going to hold up to the temperatures and actually start the car," Ashland Tire and Auto owner Ken Papas said.
Papas says taking the time to make sure vehicles are in good shape before driving is a matter of safety. This is not the time nor the temperature to just get in the car and go.
"The cold is hard enough give your car the benefit of the doubt, let it warm up and be ready to be driven," Papas said.
AAA says they expect to get an uptick in calls for roadside assistance in the days to come.
The most common issues are dead vehicle batteries, tire issues and crashes. AAA says while their crews will be on standby to help, it's important drivers get their emergency car kits ready now.
"We always talk about having that emergency car kit. This is a time more than ever to have it," AAA spokesperson Molly Hart said. "You want to have your cell phone charger, jumper cables, extra blankets and clothing for all passengers with this frigid cold, all these things to ensure safety for you."
AAA Service Vehicle Operator Manny Rodriguez says being there for someone in need during this dangerous weather is a gratifying feeling.
"Definitely on these colder days, it's a lot of battery jumpstarts, lockouts, fuel calls and tire changes," Rodriguez said. "We understand it's a frustration moment to have to give us a call. Once we get there, it just kind of calms down and smooth everything down for you guys."
On Thursday, ABC7 cameras captured damaged vehicles after a water main break at Bryn Mawr and California Avenues on the city's North Side.
And, the Illinois Tollway has 24-hour weather patrols to help drivers during the dangerous cold.
At least 12 patrols will operate across the tollway system through Monday.
Tollway officials are advising stranded drivers to immediately dial *-9-9-9 and provide the nearest roadway, milepost and direction of travel.
Turn on your emergency lights and stay in your car until help arrives.
Transit alerts
Additionally, Metra will operate a reduced schedule on all its lines Friday.
Visit metra.com for more information.
Some Metra tracks are being set on fire Friday in Chicago due to extreme cold.
The South Shore Line will also operate on a weekend/holiday schedule Friday.
Helping people who are unhoused during extreme cold
On Thursday, an annual one-night census of the unhoused happened to fall on a brutally cold night, forcing hundreds of volunteers to brave the extreme temperatures.
With temperatures expected to plunge into the negatives, the city says they will also be keeping an eye on some of the most vulnerable groups.
"We certainly see a surge in well being checks through 911 and 311," OEMC Manager Matt Doughtie said.
The city's office of Emergency Management and Communications is preparing for a bitter blast, and closely monitoring the forecast. They are urging people to limit their time outdoors.
"It only takes upwards of 10-15 minutes to start exhibiting symptoms of frostbite for exposed skin," Doughtie said.
The cold blast came as approximately 550 city staff, volunteers and street outreach teams will be doing their annual Point in Time Count. The federally-mandated, single-night tally collects data on unhoused individuals living in shelters or city streets.
'So we're going on the bridges, we're going to the parks, into encampments and talk to individuals," Department of Family & Support Serves Commissioner Angela Green said.
Green says those who are unhoused are connected with resources on the spot and offered a place to stay.
"Not only do we give them a little bit of food and some things to stay warm, but we also offer them shelter immediately, depending on their choice," Green said. "We don't do anything involuntarily, but we do have our shelter open to them for them to get into a warm space and then work towards their housing."
At a Near North Side shelter, a hot meal on a cold Thursday night provided warmth, comfort and relief.
"It's really, really difficult and an added layer of stress that I wouldn't wish onto anybody to have to worry about like, oh, where am I going to lay my head tonight?" shelter guest Aristotle McDaniel said. "It's going to be zero degrees."
McDaniel was among the guests at Lincoln Park Community Services, one of dozens of Chicago shelters doing the tally of unhoused people, which helps determine federal funding and service needs.
"It is the census for those experiencing homelessness, and that's how resources are channeled into our community," Lincoln Park Community Services CEO Cheryl Hamilton-Hill said. "They can get the counseling support that they need, food, other resources, but it puts them on a path to stable housing."
Officials expect last year's figure of some 19,000 unhoused people in Chicago will likely increase.
"Going out to serve our most vulnerable and hard to reach community members is God's work," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
Tips to safeguard homes against dangerous cold
These are the most dreadful days of Chicago winters, and with record -low temperatures hitting the area, it's all about how to prepare.
Plumbing companies and HVAC companies are already jam-packed with service calls around the area, and they say it's important to double check a few things around the house Thursday so people are not stuck in the cold when that arctic blast arrives.
"If a stream of -20 air hits that little tiny cap, boom that's where it's exploding," Rescue Plumbing owner Benjamin Vance said.
Rescue Plumbing was busy responding to service calls around the Chicagoland area on Thursday. They're urging residents to prep their homes for the dangerously cold weather that's on the way, and the most important thing is to make sure those pipes don't freeze.
"The best way to prevent this is open up your kitchen cabinet, point a heater at it," Vance said.
It's important to be careful with those space heaters though, making sure to not trip any breakers.
As for running water, some prefer to drip their faucet, but Vance says it's important to have a steady flowing coming out, with both the hot and cold water turned on. Frozen pipes can burst and cause much more damage behind the walls and under sinks.
"Let it run you want it to move, who cares about wasting a water bill for 20 to 50 bucks when you're gonna call me and we'll charge you $300 and up to open up your wall and repair your pipe," Vance said.
It's also a busy week for Shavitz Heating and Cooling, as service technicians are running around the clock to make sure people are staying warm.
"We've been pretty slammed. It's been consistent. No matter if it's 30 or -30, we're getting calls our schedules are getting filled up quick the importance is really doing your standard heating maintenance," said Sam Gordon, a Shavitz Heating and Cooling service tech.
Gordon says keeping the thermostat at a reasonable temperature is critical, but the most important thing is to make sure your air filter is fresh before the arctic blast arrives.
"It's important for folks to definitely change filters that can cause furnaces to overheat. That's really common," Gordon said. "Gas pressure can fluctuate when everybody's using their heat this kind of time."
Protecting pets from dangerous cold
The extreme cold can also cause some serious health problems for pets.
Veterinarian Alexis Newman from "Partners and Paws Veterinary Services" joined ABC7 on Friday morning with some helpful reminders:
- Limit outdoor time to 10 minutes: When wind chills reach dangerous lows, there is no such thing as a "quick walk." Limit outdoor trips strictly to bathroom breaks. At these temperatures, frostbite can set in on exposed skin and paw pads in minutes.
- The "wipe and dry" rule: Suburban roads are covered in salt and chemical de-icers right now. These can cause chemical burns on paws or be toxic if licked off. Keep a towel by the door and wipe their paws thoroughly the moment they step inside.
- Bang on the car hood: Local cats often seek the warmth of a car engine to survive the night. Before you start your engine in the morning, give the hood a loud "knock-knock" or honk your horn to give any hiding animals a chance to escape.
- Use "invisible boots": If your dog won't wear booties, apply a thick layer of pet-safe paw balm or petroleum jelly before they go out. This creates a temporary physical barrier against the stinging ice and caustic road salt.
And Dr. Michael Bailey, president of the Schaumburg-based American Veterinary Medical Association, joined ABC7 Thursday night to discuss keeping pets safe.
More information can be found at avma.org.
