CHICAGO — Though the worst of snowfall is over for at least the next few days, Chicagoans should brace for extreme cold temperatures this coming week.
The overnight storm that started around 4 p.m. Saturday has blanketed Chicago with three to four inches as of Sunday morning, said AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines.
Kines said the snow will probably continue on and off in the afternoon and evening hours until midnight, adding a couple of inches to the total snowfall.
"When it's all set and done, we're looking at close to 6 inches," Kines said.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed 287 trucks to tackle the weekend snow — 77 more than the 210 sent out in anticipation of Chicago's first measurable snowfall at the start of the month.
The plows, which will be salting arterial roads to ensure they are safe and clear for drivers, also will move onto neighborhood streets if necessary, according to a statement from the department.
As of Sunday morning, more than 1100 flights have been canceled at O'Hare International Airport, while Midway saw more than 160 total cancelations according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Both airports were experiencing average delays of less than 15 minutes.
The good news: except for possible snow showers around Monday night, Chicago should be done with snow for the next few days, Kines said.
But the real problem is the extremely cold weather scheduled to hit Chicago next week starting Tuesday, according to Kines.
While Monday will see a high in the mid-20s, temperatures will drop drastically beginning Tuesday with highs in the teens, Kines said. By Thursday, Chicagoans will be experiencing single digit highs.
Factoring in blistering wind chills, temperature could drop and feel like -20 to -25 degrees, Kines said.
"While it won't be excessively windy, [the wind chill] will probably subtract about 15 to 20 degrees from the actual temperature," Kines said.
Kines warned Chicagoans to stay inside and dress appropriately for the extreme cold.
"You don't want to be outside for an excessively long time over the next few days, especially beginning Tuesday," Kines said. "I certainly wouldn't stay outside for more than half an hour without any gloves or hat on, because you will be prone to getting frostbites."
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