This season’s annual Polar Plunge, where thousands take a dip in the freezing waters of Lake Michigan for charity, has been canceled due to the extreme cold in the Chicago area.
This year’s plunge, scheduled for Saturday, was canceled due to “extreme weather and beach conditions,” according to a statement from the Chicago Polar Bear Club, a local nonprofit that holds the annual event each January to raise money to support families who need help with, among other thing, covering medical expenses, finding safe homes and caring for extended family.
Saturday’s forecast calls for temperatures to reach a high of about 12 degrees, with a low of about 9 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. It will be cloudy, with wind gusts of up to 10 mph and a 50 percent chance of snow, the NWS said.
“Unfortunately, due to the extreme cold weather forecast for this weekend, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s plunge,” the statement said.
“This was not a decision we made lightly. We know how much time, energy, and heart you have all put into preparing and fundraising. However, the safety of our Polar Bears has to be our highest priority, and with the conditions expected, it would not be responsible to go ahead,” the statement said.
“While we are disappointed that we cannot plunge together, our after party at HQ Beercade is still going ahead, and we would love everyone to join us to commiserate, connect, and celebrate everything we have achieved together,” the statement said.
The “Afterparty Event” is scheduled for 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at HQ Beercade in River North, 213 W Institute Pl.