Chicago area residents traveling outside Thursday should watch out for frost bite as record low temperatures hit the area.
Just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday, O'Hare International Airport registered a temperature of minus 8 degrees, marking the coldest temperature on record for Feb. 19, according to the National Weather Service. Thursday's bone-chilling cold surpassed the previous record of 7 below recorded on Feb. 19 in 1936.
Powerful northwest winds of between 10 and 15 mph will make it feel like it’s anywhere between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees outside, said National Weather Service meteorologist Amy Seeley. A wind chill advisory is in effect for the Chicagoland area until noon.
As of 6:30 a.m., the record-low temperatures were not causing some disruptions for morning commuters. Inbound and outbound trains on the Metra Electric District were temporarily stopped at 67th Street due to wire problems on the line. The problem was reported about 6:35 a.m., and Metra officials warned of "extensive delays," according to an alert. As of 7 a.m., trains were using only two tracks, and Trains 309 and 311, scheduled to arrive at 93rd Street at 8:12 a.m., were operating as a combination train due to the problem.
Metra also reported one train on the BNSF line, Train 1201, would terminate in Lisle instead of Naperville due to its "winter weather plan." Train 1205 would accommodate riders traveling to Naperville, according to a Metra service alert.
CTA trains and buses were reporting normal service early Thursday after switching problems caused brief delays for Green Line trains.
The bitter cold caused Chicago Public Schools to cancel classes Thursday, the fourth weather-related closing of the year so far. Several suburban districts also either canceled classes or announced a later starting time to avoid the brunt of the cold.
Officials warn that extended exposure to the extreme weather without proper clothing can increase the risk of hypothermia, and frost bite can occur in a matter of minutes on exposed skin outside.
Despite the extreme temperatures, the day is expected to be mostly sunny.
But Chicagoans shouldn’t be fooled – the sunshine is unlikely to help someone without a warm coat.
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