Community Corner

McHenry County Braces for Dangerous, Extreme Cold

Subzero temperatures and wind chills send McHenry County into a deep freeze.

Subzero temperatures and dangerously low wind chills have pushed McHenry County into a deep freeze until Tuesday morning. 

The extreme forecast resulted in school closures not only in Illinois, but throughout the Midwest. The National Weather Service in Chicago issued a Wind Chill Warning effective through noon Tuesday, Jan. 7. 

The most extreme wind chills will occur through Monday afternoon, and Tuesday morning.

"These forecast wind chills are to be the coldest experienced in nearly 20 years," a National Weather Service statement reported. "Frost bite and hypothermia will occur in a matter of minutes with these expected wind chills. Death will also occur if precautions are not taken when being outside."

Monday's possibly record HIGH temperature is expected to reach -10 to -15. Wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph will push wind chill readings to -40 to -50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service-Chicago. 

Northern Illinois will remain in a deep freeze until Tuesday morning when the mercury climbs back over the zero degree mark and hits an anticipated high of 4 degrees. 

By Thursday, highs will reach the 20s, and the weekend will feel like a heat wave when temps are expected to soar into the mid-30s!









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