Chicago Is Colder Than Antarctica Right Now — But Things Will Warm Up (A Little) Tomorrow

CHICAGO — The city is currently colder than Antarctica, with wind chills pushing temperatures into the negative double digits and a risk of frostbite nipping at those who don’t bundle up.

“It’s the coldest stretch of weather since January of last year,” said Jake Petr, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “Limit the time you spend outside.”

Temperatures that feel as low as -15 to -25 degrees will “hold steady” until the cold snap breaks after midnight, Petr said.

At Antarctica’s McMurdo Station, the continent’s largest base, it was 27 degrees at 4 p.m. Central Time Tuesday. Meanwhile at O’Hare Airport, it was just 1 degree.

Wednesday will be warmer in Chicago— relatively speaking — with daytime high temperatures in the mid-20 degrees and snow possible in the evening, Petr said.

Thursday and Friday will be slightly colder, in the lower 20 degrees, before the city “warms back up” Saturday with daytime highs finally above freezing in the mid-30 degrees, Petr said.

A significant southerly dip in the jet stream Tuesday brought a rare snowstorm to the Gulf Coast and left Chicago drawing in cold Arctic air from above, Petr said.

The good news for Chicagoans? “February is leaning slightly its above normal temperatures,” Petr said. “It’ll become harder to see cold like this today, but it’s not out of the question.”

Still, people should avoid going outside Tuesday if possible and dress appropriately if they must venture out. Frostbite can set in as little as 30 minutes in Tuesday’s conditions for those who leave their skin exposed, Petr said.

“This is about the coldest we’ll see for a while here,” Petr said.

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