Arctic Blast Returns; Schools Closed, Police Warn Of Slick Roads
Updated 01/27/14 - 12:30 a.m.
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Here we go again.
Brutally cold weather is back.
"It's teaching my third-grade son to be a true Chicagoan," said Jessica Ashley, 41, a blogger in Ravenswood.
Chicago's latest teaching moment was set to hit the area Monday, another round of dangerous cold, the finale to a month of historically frigid weather.
Gusty winds were causing blizzard-like conditions late Sunday.
Blowing and drifting snow stopped traffic on some interstates Sunday evening. Illinois State Police shut down stretches of Interstate 80 and Interstate 55.
Later Sunday, police said both interstates were open but are "impassable due to weather." Conditions were especially bad along I-80 west of Morris and south of Wilmington along I-55, police said.
Temperatures Monday are expected to hover between 2 below zero and 6 below zero, with wind chill values between 30 to 40 below zero, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters predict temperatures will continue to plunge overnight Tuesday, dropping to 12 below zero.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Monday, while a wind chill warning will run from 3 a.m. Monday until 9 a.m. Wednesday.
This is Chicago's 13th coldest winter on record, meteorologist Bill Nelson said.
The subzero temperatures could last up to 60 hours, according to the wind chill advisory.
On top of cold temperatures, slick roadways and snowy sidewalks may put a kink into travel plans for many in the Chicago area Monday.
O'Hare International Airport Sunday canceled more than 250 flights for Monday, while at least 90 flights were cancelled at Midway Airport, according to the city's Department of Aviation.
The deep freeze will begin to let up Wednesday, with highs possibly reaching 20 degrees.
The latest string of subzero temperatures has many Chicago residents looking toward warmer days.
"It's the stir-crazy element. I think everybody's just ready to be outside again," said Linda Nitchzke, 47, a jeweler in Lincoln Park.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)