CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools canceled classes on Wednesday as near record-breaking cold weather descends on the city.
In addition, CPS canceled all after school activities on Tuesday, including sports.
A decision on whether schools will reopen Thursday will be announced by noon Wednesday.
“All students are encouraged to remain indoors for their safety,” CPS said on its Facebook page.
“While school buildings will be closed Wednesday, the Chicago Park District has designated fieldhouses throughout as warming centers to help families stay warm through this cold spell.”
Temperatures will dip Tuesday night and stay dangerously low through Thursday, with the possibility of wind chills making it feel like 50 degrees below zero at points, according to the National Weather Service.
The coldest temperature on record in Chicago is 27 degrees below zero on Jan. 20, 1985. It’s possible that record could be broken on Wednesday, officials said, though the National Weather Service isn’t predicting it for now.
Tuesday has an expected high of 5 degrees and that could fall to 19 below zero overnight.
Wednesday could reach just 12 degrees below zero during the day. The National Weather Service said it could be the coldest high temperature ever recorded in Chicago. Temperatures are expected to hit 20 below zero overnight — which would break another record for the coldest low temperature for that day — and rise to 2 degrees for Thursday.
CPS encouraged parents to look for updates on the CPS website, on its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Recorded updates will also be available at (773) 553-1000.