Cold as it is in Chicago, the brutal core of this arctic air mass is positioned just west of the metro area where it’s producing the coldest temperatures observed in 9 years—since 1996. From northern Iowa and Minnesota west to Montana, the mercury failed to break above 0° Friday. Wind chills hovered in the bonechilling -30 and -45° range. Only the lack of a heavy snow cover across the Chicago area has prevented the coldest readings here. That’s little comfort to those who work outdoors and the chill’s grip is to strengthen as a reinforcing cold front passes Sunday morning—a system which could bring snow showers to the area.
Temps to Chicago’s west Friday reached levels not often seen in recent winters. Readings dropped to -42° at Culbertson, Mont., -35° at Aberdeen, S.D. and -33° at Brainerd, Minn. at daybreak—and remained well below 0° all day . The current cold spell is well timed. Winter’s coldest temps here occur around January 19.
