Wind chills expected to be -20 this afternoon, -35 overnight
A wind chill advisory issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect for the Chicago area through noon Thursday.
Wind chills were recorded to be about 30 degrees below zero overnight. Wind chill values will improve slightly to 20 below Wednesday afternoon, but will fall back Wednesday night to 30 to 35 below zero.
A wind chill warning means the wind will combine with very cold air to create dangerously low wind chill values. This will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia or death if precautions are not taken.
At that temperature, frost bite can occur in as little as 15 minutes on exposed skin, and extended exposure without proper clothing will increase the risk of hypothermia.
Temperatures are expected to reach 4 degrees Wednesday afternoon, then dip to 8 degrees below zero overnight tonight. It will reach 12 degrees Thursday afternoon, but wind chills will make it feel 12 degrees below zero.
The deep freeze is part of a one-two punch from a storm that started Monday night and ran into early Tuesday morning. Most suburbs saw 2-3 inches of new snow from the storm.
Beach Park in Lake County recorded 1.6 inches of new snow, and Elburn in Kane County saw about 2.3 inches, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network is reporting.
Metra issued a warning on its website that many trains could face speed restrictions due to the freezing temperatures.
“Please be advised that as always, we will make every reasonable effort to assure your timely and comfortable commute,” Metra announced in a statement. “Unfortunately, weather conditions beyond our control will likely create unanticipated delays or service disruptions.”
Commuters are asked to keep an eye on their individual trains at metrarail.com.
A number of schools in the suburbs have already announced they are starting late or have canceled classes on Wednesday.
For a complete list of school closings and late starts, click here.
In case you've forgotten how to deal with frigid weather returning this week, here are 10 tips from the DuPage County Health Department, the Schaumburg-based American Veterinary Medical Association and the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.
For your car
1. Carry a winter emergency kit for use if you become stranded. Include warm boots and extra clothing, blankets, food and water, flares, first-aid kit, sand or kitty litter for traction and a cellphone charger for your car.
2. Keep your car fuel tank at least half full so you can keep warm if stranded. Also, you might have difficulty getting gas during a power outage because gas stations rely on electricity to operate their pumps and might not have backup power.
For your home
3. Let indoor faucets drip to reduce the buildup of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, they are less likely to rupture if the pressure has been released.
4. Be ready for power outages. Keep extra batteries in the house; stock up on food, water, medications and baby supplies; keep an up-to-date first aid kit; and plan for how to keep warm.
5. If you are using a gas heater or fireplace to stay warm, be sure the area is properly ventilated.
6. Do not run a portable generator inside a home or garage. Use gas-powered generators only in well-ventilated areas.
For yourself and your pets
7. Wear layers of light, warm clothing. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Cover your head; you lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head. Wear waterproof boots. Cover areas of your face most susceptible to frostbite, such as ears, nose, chin and forehead.
8. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. They can cause your body to lose heat rather than warming you up.
9. People with heart disease or other medical conditions should check with their doctors before shoveling snow or exerting themselves outside in the cold.
10. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. Keep pets indoors and shorten walks, especially for puppies and dogs that are older, short-haired or have ailments like diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease.