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CHICAGO (WLS) — Prepare for an arctic blast, as the Chicago area is set to experience an Extreme Cold Warning this Friday. Local authorities are urging everyone to brace for the severe drop in temperatures.
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Initially classified as an Extreme Cold Watch, the warning has been intensified and will be in effect from 3 a.m. to noon on Friday, covering the entire Chicago region. Despite the official end of the warning at midday, the frigid conditions are expected to persist throughout the day, according to ABC7 meteorologists.
The forecast for Thursday indicates blustery conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 20 degrees. As the clock strikes midnight, the mercury is predicted to plummet to a chilling 5 degrees.
Come Friday morning, residents will face a brutal start to their day with temperatures plunging to -7 degrees. The wind chill could make it feel even colder, between -30 to -40 degrees, adding an extra layer of danger to the already harsh conditions.
By Friday morning, we will wake up to -7 degrees; wind chills could be as low as -30 to -40 through the day.
Chicago Public Schools canceled classes for Friday. To see the full list of school closures, click here.
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.
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.”
SEE ALSO: Warming centers open in city, suburbs as bitter cold moves into Chicago area | Full list
Metra will operate a reduced schedule on all its lines Friday.
Visit metra.com for more information.
The South Shore Line will also operate on a weekend/holiday schedule Friday.
On Thursday, ABC7 captured damaged vehicles after a water main break at Bryn Mawr and California Avenues on the city’s North Side.
On Saturday into Sunday, a major storm sweeping the south and northeast of the U.S. will likely being some snow to the southern suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Lake-effect snow is possible on Monday morning.
Cook County Radar | DuPage County Radar | Will County Radar | Lake County Radar (IL) | Kane County Radar | Northwest Indiana Radar
Millions of Americans brace for potentially catastrophic ice storm
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