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This Winter Will be Among Top Three Coldest on Record, Forecasters Say

By DNAinfo Staff on February 25, 2014 5:48pm

 The National Weather Service predicts the 2013-2014 winter will rank as among the three coldest ever recorded in Chicago.
The National Weather Service predicts the 2013-2014 winter will rank as among the three coldest ever recorded in Chicago.
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Getty Images/Scott Olson

CHICAGO — Stay bundled up, Chicago.

In what's become a recurring theme this winter, the National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory to remain in effect between midnight and noon Wednesday. Wind chills could dip as low as 30 below zero during that period.

"If you must venture outdoors, make sure you wear a hat and gloves," the agency said in its advisory.

Currently, the 2013-2014 winter, which officially ends on Feb. 28 by meteorological standards, ranks as the fifth coldest in Chicago's history.

"When all is said and done somewhere in the top three," said NWS meteorologist Richard Castro. "It's pretty much guaranteed."

As things stand right now, according to the NWS, the coldest winters in Chicago's history are:

• 1903-1904 (average temperature of 18.3 degrees)

• 1978-1979 (average temperature of 18.4 degrees)

• 1892-1893 and 1976-1977, tie (average temperature of 19 degrees)

• 1977-1978 and 2013-2014 (average temperature of 19.1 degrees)