City opens warming shelters as subzero wind chills head toward Chicago

Warming centers across the city will be open Saturday and into next week as bitterly cold temperatures are expected in Chicago.

Despite the unseasonably warm weather Friday, temperatures will plunge into the single digits Saturday night and remain there until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Wind chill temperatures will reach as low as minus 14 degrees Sunday night.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Gino Izzi, the air temperature has not dipped below zero in one year, since Jan. 16, 2024.

Overnight Sunday the regular air temperature will plummet, giving us our first subzero temperatures, which will hover between zero and 5 below zero.

Izzi said Monday and Tuesday will be two “really cold” days, and temperatures will fall back again to zero to 5 below zero on both overnights.

During this period, wind chills will be “pretty ugly,” ranging from 10 to 20 degree below zero, Izzi said.

The cold spell is expected to end on Wednesday with temperatures hitting almost 20 degrees, Izzi said.

The Garfield Community Service Center will be open for residents seeking to warm up between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Other city buildings, such as libraries, park district facilities and police districts will also serve as warming centers, though hours there vary by location and date.

The Salvation Army’s Freedom Center in Humboldt Park, 825 N. Christiana Ave., will be open 24 hours as a warming shelter throughout the week. The organization also runs the 24-hour “Shuttle of Hope,” which works with the city’s 311 call center to transport people to shelters.

Contributing: Mohammad Samra