CHICAGO — More snow is coming Thursday morning, but the city will get a brief reprieve after that — until another snowstorm hits Sunday.
Thursday will see light snow in the morning, adding on to the more than 19 inches that have fallen this month. The snow earlier this week pushed Chicago to tie its 137-year-old record for most consecutive days with snow.
The record, set in 1884, is nine days, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago experienced nine straight days as of Tuesday — but snow didn’t come in until after midnight Thursday, meaning the city didn’t see snow Wednesday to break the record.
Thursday’s snow is expected to stop before noon and be at its heaviest near the lakefront, with about an inch of snow possible by the end, according to the weather agency. The day will warm up to 25 degrees.
More snow could hit Thursday night, when the low temperature will be 9 degrees but it could feel as cold as 1 below zero.
Friday will be mostly sunny and is expected to be snow-free. Temperatures will rise to 20 degrees, though it could feel as cold as 3 below zero during the day.
Saturday will remain mostly sunny, and it will warm up even more to 24 degrees, according to the weather agency.
Sunday will see another snowstorm move in during the afternoon. Another 2 inches — or more — of snow could fall, and it will likely make traveling more difficult, according to the weather agency.
Otherwise, Sunday will be cloudy with an expected high temperature of 32 degrees.
In the past 34 days, nearly 50 inches of snow have fallen near Midway Airport, according to the National Weather Service. Since Jan. 14, there have been 249.1 hours of snow reported at the airport — which equals more than 10 days of snow.
This has been the snowiest three-week stretch for Chicago since the winter of 1978-79, according to the weather agency.
“The good news is we don’t see any big snowfall events in the near-future … but we’re not out of the woods yet,” the weather agency said in a tweet.
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 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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