Chicago prepares for heavy snow and bitter cold

• It's expected to drop below zero and feel like -30 with windchill.

Why it matters: The National Weather Service warns low visibility and drifting snow will make travel "difficult to impossible" in Chicago, while strong winds could cause power outages.

• Worst case scenario? Snow could rival the 2011 storm that dumped more than 20 inches and closed Lake Shore Drive, one meteorologist told the Tribune.

What's happening: Chicagoans are scrambling to reschedule flights, complicated by a bomb scare at O'Hare yesterday.

• The city's aviation officials expect tomorrow to be the busiest day of 2022 at O'Hare, per a press release.
• Airlines also project a 26% increase in Midway passengers compared with this time last year.

Zoom in: The Department of Streets & Sanitation said in a press release that more than 300 vehicles are ready to cover more than 9,400 lane miles of roadways.

• Track the snow plow fleet here.

Between the lines: For many, this will be the coldest Christmas in years. It could be the coldest holiday since the 1980s in some areas.

Be smart: Tips for preparing for extreme cold:

• Hang blankets over your windows at night, but let the sunshine in during the day.
• Leave the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks open, and turn your faucet on just a trickle to keep pipes from freezing.
• If you have to be outside, mittens are better than gloves.

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