Chicago cold warning: How to stay safe
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
It's about to be extremely cold.
The big picture: The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning through noon Friday. Wind chills could drop to -40F.
- The NWS says it's putting every available resource into forecasting the potentially historic winter storm that's wreaking havoc here and across the country.
- Nearly 148 million Americans were facing winter storm watches in states spanning 2,000 miles, from New Mexico to Maine, as of Thursday afternoon.
State of play: Chicago Public Schools and many suburban schools have cancelled Friday's classes, and some local events have already been called off, most notably the annual Polar Plunge, which was scheduled for Saturday.
- The Polar Bear Club is still meeting at Headquarters Beercade at 1pm Saturday for raffle prizes and a celebration of fundraising nearly $90,000 for Chicago families.
- Check to make sure any event you are planning to attend is still happening.
Zoom in: Yes, we're cold-weather warriors in Chicago, but we can all use reminders on best practices to stay safe.
Stay inside if you can
Some workplaces are allowing employees to work remotely. Employers can make you go to work in inclement weather, but OSHA says employers must provide a workplace "free from recognized hazards, including winter weather related hazards."
- Cook County has warming centers open until 4:30pm, and Chicago's warming centers are open until 5pm. Plus, libraries, park district field houses and city colleges are available.
- Garfield Center at 10 S. Kedzie Ave. will be open Thursday through Sunday from 9am to 8pm.
- Chicago police stations are open 24 hours.
Layer, layer, layer … and hot potatoes
Layers are always the name of the game. Make sure your face, hands and feet are covered. Monica suggests, among other tips, keeping a hot potato in your pocket.
- Keep a moisture-wicking layer closest to your body and keep your weatherproof layer on the outside.
Protect your home
Pipes freezing is a big concern with these temperatures, so open utility closets to get heat in and drip the water. Chicago HVAC and plumbing companies like Four Seasons say they offer 24-hour service and no extra emergency fees.
- Never use a stove or oven to heat your home, as it could cause carbon monoxide poisoning or fires.
- Remove snow and ice from outside natural gas meters and clear overhead icicles to prevent dripping water from refreezing on your natural gas meters and pipes.
Plan your trip
Metra is running reduced service Friday, so make sure you check your train before you head out. CTA appears to be running on schedule, but check the latest service alerts.
- In the past, Metra and CTA have had service problems because of nasty weather. Metra says freezing temperatures force speed reductions.
- If you're driving, make sure your tank is full and there are blankets in the car. If you're parked outside, pop up your wipers so they don't freeze to the windshield.
As always, tip well
Most of the delivery apps have severe-weather protocols, Axios' Karri Peifer reports.
- DoorDash, Instacart and Grubhub say they may pause service or cancel orders based on hazardous weather and road conditions or guidance from local authorities.
How it works: Third-party delivery drivers are independent contractors, so they can choose when they work.
- And many say they welcome working in extreme weather because it usually means better tips — a key caveat to their "Yes, you can order" response.
Keep your pets safe
That fur isn't enough. Your pup will still get cold, so bathroom breaks should be brief and you should bundle them up. Check for signs of hypothermia and call the vet if you're worried.
The bottom line: Hunker down or bundle up because the bitter cold appears to be here to stay through next week.