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Chicago activates warming centers ahead of an extended period of dangerous cold and wind chills

CHICAGO (CBS) — Dangerously cold weather arrives in the Chicago area on Sunday, and the frigid temperatures bring many health and safety concerns.

With temperatures dropping into the single digits Saturday night and remaining in the single digits or below zero through Wednesday morning — with windchills as low as -15° to -30° — the city is already mapping out a strategy that will last through Friday .

The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory for the entire Chicago area and northwestern Indiana from 6:00 PM CST on Sunday through noon CST on Monday. Wind chills could drop to -20° to -25°.

Such extreme cold can cause frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes.

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications said warming centers across the city will be open citywide through Friday, and some will have extended hours through Tuesday.

In total, more than 200 Chicago public buildings serve as warming centers during normal business hours, including public libraries, Chicago Park District facilities, City Colleges and 21 senior centers. The city’s 22 police stations also serve as warming centers.

Warming center locations open from Saturday, January 18 to Monday, January 20

  • Garfield Community Service Center – 10 South Kedzie Avenue, 9am – 5pm on Saturdays and 8am – 8pm on Sundays and Mondays
  • Chicago Public Library (78 locations), visit chipublib.org for hours and location (Libraries will be closed on Monday, January 20 due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.)
  • Chicago Park District locations (59 locations) are open during regular hours.
  • Chicago Police Districts (22 locations)
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Locations of the Warmtecentrum Open from Tuesday January 21 to Friday January 24

  • Englewood Community Service Center – 1140 West 79th Street (9am – 5pm)
  • Garfield Community Service Center – 10 South Kedzie Avenue (8am – 8pm on Tuesday January 21)
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center – 4314 South Cottage Grove (9am – 5pm)
  • North Area Community Service Center – 845 West Wilson Avenue (9am – 5pm)
  • South Chicago Community Service Center – 8650 South Commercial Avenue (9am – 5pm)
  • Trina Davila Community Service Center – 4312 West North Avenue (9am – 5pm)
  • Senior Centers (21 locations) 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations
  • Chicago Public Library (78 locations), visit chipublib.org for hours and locations
  • Chicago Park District (75 locations) is open during business hours
  • Renaissance Court, Chicago Cultural Center 72 E. Randolph, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Chicago Police Districts (22 locations)

To find the nearest available warming centers and hours of operation near you, call 311, check online at 311.chicago.gov or download the Chicago OEMC app.

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With temperatures still in the 20s on Saturday, many people braved the cold in anticipation of the big drop, including some out-of-towners trying to sightsee on a cold and blustery day.

“I appreciate this sun. That’s very nice, but this drop definitely scares me a little. A little warmer would have been nice,” said Sasha Batoukova, who was visiting from Seattle.

Nikita Vasilyve, who lives in the northern suburbs, said he told his Seattle friends about the weather a few times to make sure they were prepared.

“There has been some news about the polar vortex and the wind,” he said.

Sophie Robertson, also visiting from Seattle, said she had to borrow a friend’s coat for their trip.

“I had to ask around to see what I could take with me on this trip because I wasn’t prepared in my wardrobe,” she said.

With such low temperatures, it is crucial to dress in layers, keep exposed skin covered and limit time outdoors.

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