Arctic Blast To Keep Chicago On Ice For A While
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Bundle up are the buzz words for the next several days in the Chicago area as temperatures aren't expected to rise above freezing for at least the next 10 days.
Chicagoans are bracing for a blast of arctic air. Some ventured outside well-prepared for the winter weather; others not so much.
Sometimes a little dance keeps your body warm in this bitter cold. Chicagoans standing outside for a bus in University Village came prepared, covered head to toe.
"I have this wonderful sleeping bag coat," Kate Zumach said.
It's plenty warm, but she's already planning to upgrade her winter wardrobe
"I saw some guy biking with a ski mask, and I kind of thought I gotta get me one of those. The wind is definitely really bitter. It hurts. It hurts so bad," she said.
Zumach and her friend were on their way to a coffee shop Thursday morning.
"Coffee is a necessity. That and hot chocolate," Zumach said.
They said the drinks serve a dual purpose: caffeine and heat.
"At the very least, when you're walking around, it keeps your hands warm," Elizabeth Moss said.
Some even doubled up, but others simply didn't expect such cold temperatures to come so soon.
Kate Tormey was wearing a thick winter coat, but her legs were freezing in capri pants and flimsy summer shoes.
"This was not the best choice for attire this morning. I was bringing my daughter to school, and just forgot to put my boots on," she said.
She said she still has all her hats, gloves, boots, sweaters, coats, and other winter wear packed away in her closet. She'll be busy unpacking it this weekend.
She'll need it even more next week, with temperatures expected to plunge Tuesday night, and highs reaching only the single digits the next two days after that. Chicago won't get much relief before that, either. Highs won't get above freezing before then, according to the latest forecasts.