Extreme Cold Warning expanded to include all of northern Illinois

ALERTS: Overnight, the National Weather Service expanded the Extreme Cold Warning to now include all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This will be in place Friday from 3AM-12PM. 

 

  

TIMING: It's during that time where we'll feel the worst of the incoming blast of Arctic air. Overnight lows temperatures will fall well below zero, likely landing in the -10° to -15° range. 

When you factor in a gusty and cold northwest wind, wind chills will likely be in the -30° to -40° range. Frostbite in this type of cold can occur within 10 minutes and is very dangerous to be out in - even if for a short duration of time. Temperatures Friday afternoon will struggle to warm above 0°, with the current forecast 'high' of -5°. Wind chills during the afternoon will sit between -15° to -25° which is still considered dangerous considering frostbite can occur within 30 minutes. The Arctic high-pressure system will settle in a bit closer to the region Friday night, and this should help in our wind chill department some, but chills still as low as -25 are possible Saturday morning. 

Extended Forecast: The coldest air of the season will slowly filter out as we get into next week. Still, we can expect overnight lows to drop below zero at least into Monday morning. Highs next week will make the climb back into the teens.