A winter weather recommendation will remain in effect for the area until noon due to slippery roads and drifting snow.
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The strong winds will last all day, with chills expected to be below zero throughout the day. The freezing temperatures are expected to continue for a while.
The highlights are Friday and Saturday in the teens, but the chills could be below zero early next week.
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ABC7 Meteorologist Larry Mowry said that starting Friday, the temperature will not rise above freezing for the next ten days, and possibly even for the next two weeks.
The winter explosion has caused temperatures to drop so low that outdoor igloos in the West Loop neighborhood are transformed into reality.
Residents walking their dogs watched their step in the morning.
“The sidewalks are pretty bad,” said Kathy Duan. ‘They haven’t thawed at all. So it’s definitely a bit dangerous when we walk. ‘
“Really, I think it’s just about being super careful, making sure you have the right footwear on and keeping your wits about you,” said Alice Waterman.
Millie is a Bernese Mountain Dog, the breed hails from the Swiss Alps which means again this is a breeze.
“So she doesn’t need slippers or extra clothing, like most short-haired dogs do, so she’s ready to go,” said Jordan Nussbaum.
Christine Yore braved the cold with her dog Moxie. Both are looking forward to spring.
“I think as long as it’s sunny, I’ll be fine,” said Yore. “I can handle it just fine and I think it’s just part of life here.”
Doctors also warn people about frostbite. At these temperatures, frostbite can occur within minutes.
Strong winds and cold temperatures can cause problems on the roads, especially with the snow that fell on Thursday.
In Country Club Hills at 179th Street and Cicero Avenue, a four car accident involving a Country Club Hills police car occurred. The marked police SUV had extensive rear damage.
One officer was injured and at least two ambulances were called to the scene.
The Illinois Tollway uses its Zero Weather Road Patrols to respond to stranded drivers around the clock.
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“We want to make sure our customers are safe and that we provide whatever assistance we can due to the extreme weather,” said Steve Mednis of the Illinois Tollway.
Officials are urging stranded drivers to call for help and wait in their vehicles. At these cold temperatures, swerving can lead to frostbite within minutes.
Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation said it made repeated trips through residential streets this week to make a wider path for the expected harsh cold snap, but clearly some drivers still struggled on city roads on Thursday. The problem is likely to get worse this weekend.
City crews kept pace with the snow near Lake Shore Drive, and Streets and Sanitation crews tried to haul in as much salt as possible before icy temps arrived.
A small plane slid off a runway amid winter weather at Chicago Executive Airport in the northwestern suburb of Wheeling. Airport workers were seen digging the plane’s landing gear from the snow.
Cold weather tips
There are some steps you can take to keep your vehicle running and your home warm.
-To run your car in extreme cold, have your battery checked and make sure you have jumper cables in your trunk.
-Keep your gas tank at least half full.
– Provide an emergency kit with blankets, non-perishable food, boots and extra clothing in case you get stuck.
Be warned if you haven’t excavated your car yet.
“It cannot be moved once it is a solid ice mass,” said Kristen Hulne, owner of Patch Landscaping and Snow Removal.
When it comes to your home, experts advise:
-Set your thermostat to 68 degrees
Have your oven inspected to make sure it is operating safely and efficiently.
-Replace your oven filter if it’s been a while.
Also a warning about using alternative methods of heating your home.
“If you are using alternative means of heating their home, be it space heaters and they are in too close contact with things that can cause a fire, use their furnaces, use combustibles in a way that they are not designed or Addison said Fire Chief Brock Herion.
Another big problem in the cold: broken pipes.
To prevent this:
-Allow a slow trickle of water from your faucets to prevent pipes from freezing
-Open doors and cabinets to allow heat to enter bathroom plumbing and pipes under sinks.
Use common sense, dress in layers, and always wear a hat and gloves to protect yourself from frostbite or hypothermia.
Cook County Warming Centers will also be open. Visit cookgov.me/warmcenters For more information.
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Make sure that warm air circulates throughout the house and run a trickle of water to avoid frozen pipes. If pipes freeze, do not use candles or open flames to defrost them. Instead, use a hair dryer or heating pad. For more information visit chicago.gov/water.
The Chicago Fire Department does not recommend the use of space heaters; However, when using, make sure they are UL listed and are at least 1 meter away from anything that could ignite. The use of a space heater in children’s rooms should be closely monitored as children sometimes bring them close to or in the bed with tragic results, officials said. If extension cords are used, they must be rated at least 15 amps and never placed under carpet. With the added demand for furnaces and boilers, CFD is also reminding residents that the regulation requires them to have operating carbon monoxide detectors to protect against carbon monoxide leaks from a heating system that can be fatal over time, and to keep smoke detectors in good working order. to hold.
Those seeking access to heating centers and / or experiencing insufficient heat are encouraged to contact 311 for immediate assistance.
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OEMC will monitor weather conditions with the National Weather Service and coordinate response efforts with the city’s public safety and infrastructure departments and public partners to keep residents safe and informed, officials said.
Residents were reminded to provide necessary assistance to neighbors, relatives, the elderly and the most vulnerable during the cold weather. If you need to request a wellness check, please call 311, go to 311.chicago.gov, or use the 311 mobile app.
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Visit chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss.html For more information.
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