Deep freeze hits suburbs

The deep freeze is upon the suburbs.

Bitter cold temperatures and freezing winds are blanketing the area, and experts are telling people to bundle up with multiple layers before heading outside today.

Temperatures are hovering between zero and 9 degrees in Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage and Kane counties this morning, but wind chills make it feel closer to 10 to 20 degrees below zero.

The AccuWeather forecast predicts temperatures will increase slowly throughout the day, topping out at 19 degrees at 3 p.m.

The wind will also decrease throughout the day, meteorologists said, easing the wind chills from feel-like temperatures of 14 degrees below zero at 9 a.m. to 9 degrees above zero this afternoon.

People are urged to avoid spending excessive time in the cold this morning. Anyone who needs to be outside should wear plenty of layers and bundle up.

Temperatures are expected to climb through Saturday, topping out at 31 degrees over the weekend. Some snow is expected on Saturday morning and Monday.