Chicago weather forecast today: Classes canceled at Park Ridge Maine South High School after pipe bursts in cold; snow expected
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — The frigid weather in the Chicago area is causing some pipes to burst and water mains to break.

Classes are canceled Wednesday for Maine South High School in Park Ridge, after a sprinkler line water pipe burst before the school day started.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Students are being allowed to stay in common areas of the school for the day.

Parents can pick up students at any time, and the school is working to see if any buses are available to pick up students earlier that the normal dismissal time.

Classes will resume Thursday, but some classrooms were damaged.

Water flooded the intersection near Western Avenue and Jackson Boulevard Tuesday, turning it into an ice rink, as crews worked to fix the break.

There’s also a water main break between the 2600- and 2800-block of Highland Avenue in Berwyn, and a break at the DuPage County Complex has been repaired.

Wind chills were well below zero Wednesday morning.

A cold advisory ended at midnight Wednesday, but snow is expected in the afternoon and evening, with temperatures in the low 20s.

Wind chills are still in the single digits, thanks to gusty winds up to 30 mph.

A dusting to an inch or so of snow will be possible, with some spots maybe seeing as much as 2 inches of snow. That’s not a whole lot of snow, but it will be enough to create some slippery spots on the roadways during the day and especially Wednesday evening.

A deep freeze has settled over the Chicago area, with wind chills plunging well below zero and causing dangerous conditions for anyone outside.

SEE ALSO: Chicago weather: City opens warming centers as bitterly cold temperatures move in

The city of Chicago has opened warming centers for the extreme cold. Residents can also call 311 for more information about warming centers.

School Closings: Chicago Area Complete List

In such cold conditions, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in 10 minutes or less; so, people should don coats, hats and gloves and minimize time outdoors, said Connor Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck.

Warning signs of frostbite include numbness, pale or waxy skin, redness or pain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends immediately getting out of the cold and into a warmer environment if this occurs. Avoid rubbing the frostbitten area or walking on frostbitten feet or toes, as this can cause more damage. Instead, put the frostbitten areas in warm – not hot – water. If this is not available, use body heat from other parts of the body to warm the area, such as by placing frostbitten hands or fingers in an armpit. Do not use heating pads or heat from a stove, as the affected areas may easily burn.

People with asthma, chronic lung disease, or other respiratory conditions or illnesses are at higher risk when temperatures drop because cold, dry air irritates the airways, said Dr. Haitham Khraishah, a preventive cardiologist at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute and an assistant professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

This leads to greater inflammation and causes muscles around the airways to constrict, which can lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath or a burning feeling in the chest, especially during exertion.

AP News contributed to this report.

Cook County Radar | DuPage County Radar | Will County Radar | Lake County Radar (IL) | Kane County Radar | Northwest Indiana Radar


Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Leftist prosecutor cites affordability in release of alleged tourist killer near Disney: 'Inability to pay'

Prosecutor Highlights Financial Constraints in Release of Suspected Tourist Killer Near Disney

A prosecutor in Florida is justifying the release of a man previously…
White House, DHS push back on claims ICE targeted 5-year-old in Minnesota, say child was 'abandoned'

ICE Denies Misleading Claims on Family Separation and Labels Minnesota Church Rioters as Violent

A senior official from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pushed back…
Chaos erupts in Minneapolis as agents fire tear gas at protesters

Minneapolis Unrest: Tear Gas Deployed Amid Intense Protests, Sparking Citywide Tensions

A wave of protests has led to multiple arrests in Minneapolis following…
Fergie and Andrew's fragile state over Royal Lodge exit concerns pals

Royal Lodge Drama: Fergie and Andrew’s Uncertain Future Sparks Concern Among Friends

The “delicate” situation surrounding Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is raising alarms…
Victoria Beckham 'feels betrayed' by Brooklyn

Victoria Beckham’s Heartache: Feeling Betrayed by Son Brooklyn’s Recent Actions

Victoria Beckham reportedly feels a deep sense of betrayal following Brooklyn’s recent…
Fate of the 51 boys reprieved from Auschwitz by Dr Mengele

The Survival Journey of 51 Boys Spared by Dr. Mengele at Auschwitz

On a dreary October afternoon in 1944, the notorious Josef Mengele, often…
Virginia Democrats blasted for threatening historic military college VMI with funding threat over DEI concerns

Virginia Democrats Criticize VMI, Hint at Funding Cuts Amid DEI Debate

On Tuesday, Virginia Democrats in the House of Delegates proposed a resolution…
How much is Alex Honnold getting paid by Netflix to climb Taiwan's Taipei 101?

Netflix Unveils Alex Honnold’s Paycheck for Daring Taipei 101 Climb

In an extraordinary feat, Netflix broadcasted a live event featuring Alex Honnold…