- Credibility:
CHICAGO — More snow is expected to hit Chicago on Wednesday afternoon.
The city has already been pummeled by more than 17 inches of snow in recent days, making it the snowiest three-week stretch in 40 years. The city is still working to clear streets while residents are digging out of their homes.
If the snow continues Wednesday, as expected, it will mean the city’s seen 10 consecutive days of snow — breaking Chicago’s record.
Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 20 degrees and 5 mph winds, according to the National Weather Service.
The snow is expected to start in the afternoon and continue during the night, when temperatures will drop to 14 degrees.
“Light snow will start later this afternoon spreading from the south towards the north, with light accumulations possible,” according to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service.
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Less than 1 inch of snow is expected to fall Wednesday.
But light snow showers could continue into Thursday morning, with lake effect snow possible closer to the lakefront, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday will warm up slightly to 26 degrees. Snow showers could continue Thursday night, when temperatures will fall to 11 degrees but it could feel as chilly as zero outside, according to the weather agency.
Friday should be dry, though. It’s expected to be a mostly sunny day with a high of 21 degrees, according to the weather agency. Saturday will stay mostly sunny, with an expected high temperature of 24 degrees.
Sunday will have another chance for snow, but it should warm up more, with an expected high temperature of 33 degrees.
If snow does fall Wednesday, it will break the city’s record for most consecutive days with snow. The record, set in 1884, is nine days. But Chicago’s on pace to see 11 consecutive days of snow if it falls Wednesday and Thursday.
The snowfall tacks on to a brutally wet and cold period for Chicago. More than 34 inches of snow have fallen in the city in the past three weeks, and temperatures haven’t reached above freezing since Feb. 4.
RELATED: Snowed In? Here’s How To Get Shoveling Help In Chicago
Staying Safe At Home
Fire Commissioner Richard Ford said Chicagoans should check on their vulnerable neighbors to ensure they stay warm. People should not use their ovens or stovetops to try to warm their houses, and the Fire Department also recommends against space heaters since they’re a fire risk, he said at a news conference last week.
Ford encouraged everyone to make sure they have a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector.
And Chicagoans can help the Fire Department by shoveling snow away from fire hydrants, ensuring they’re easily accessible for firefighters in case of emergency, Ford said.
Buildings Commissioner Matt Beaudet also urged Chicagoans to ensure snow from recent storms isn’t covering up homes to their vents, like dryer vents, since that can create safety issues.
Pets
All cats and dogs must be brought indoors, even if they’re used to staying outside, according to Cook County Animal Control.
Walks should not last longer than 10 minutes during times there are sub-zero temperatures. Put foot coverings on your dogs if they will wear them, avoid walking them on salted sidewalks and wash their paws with warm water once home, according to the county angecy.
Protect Your Pipes
People can prevent their pipes from freezing by allowing the faucet to “dribble” water, Ford said. If your pipes do freeze, you can use a hair dryer to thaw them, but you should not use something with an open flame like a candle or torch, he said.
Heating Your Apartment
Beaudet said landlords are required to ensure their tenants’ units are heated during this time. Units must be at least 68 degrees during the day and 66 degrees overnight, Beaudet said.
If your landlord isn’t complying, you can file a report with 311. Landlords can be fined up to $1,000 per day per violation, Beaudet said.
Traveling Safely
Chicagoans who have to travel should keep a pair of gloves, a hat, water, flashlight, communication device, blankets and a cellphone charger in their car, said Josh Dennis, first deputy director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Helping People Experiencing Homelessness
You can carry hand warmers, gift cards, cash, food and other supplies — like gloves and blankets — with you so you can give them to people who are homeless.
You can share the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless’ guide on where people can turn for help when the temperatures drop. It’s online here.
And you can reach out to local organizations the support people who are homeless, like the Night Ministry and other shelters.
Warming Centers
The city’s warming centers are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. People at warming centers must wear masks and stay socially distant due to the coronavirus pandemic. Information about warming centers is available online or by calling 311.
The centers’ locations:
- 1140 W. 79th St.
- 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
- 4314 S. Cottage Grove ave.
- 845 W. Wilson Ave.
- 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
- 4312 W. North Ave.
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