Arctic Cold To Freeze Lake Forest: Where To Find Warming Centers

LAKE FOREST, IL — Arctic cold will hit the Chicagoland starting tonight, according to forecasters, with lows dropping below zero in some areas.

For those looking to escape the cold and remain safe from the weather, Lake Forest operates warming centers at the following locations:

• East Train Station (701 N. McKinley Rd)
• West Train Station (911 Telegraph Rd)
• Dickinson Hall (100 E Old Mill Rd)

That National Weather Service warned that a cold front would bring a “quick blast of Arctic air” to the Chicago area, with wind chills as low as 20 below zero Wednesday into Friday. There is also a slight chance of snow Wednesday, forecasters said.

“A strong cold front will move across the area this afternoon into early this evening shifting southwest winds to the northwest,” the weather service said. “Main takeaway will be the wind chills which will be in the -10 to -15 range overnight into Thursday morning and again Thursday night into early Friday morning.”

Related: 'Blast Of Arctic Air' Coming Wednesday, Thursday To Chicago Area

According to Accuweather, temperatures in Chicago are expected to drop drastically on Thursday, with a high of 17 degrees and a low of 6 degrees.

The suburbs will also experience excessive cold risk Thursday, with Highland Park and Tinley Park expecting a high of 14 degrees, Joliet a high of 13 degrees, Aurora a high of 12 degrees and Algonquin a high of 11 degrees.

Warmer air is expected to blow in early Friday morning, forecasters said, allowing temperatures to level off in the mid to high 20s by daybreak.

In Lake Forest, temperatures are expected to drop to 4 degrees Wednesday night. On Thursday, temperatures will hit a high of 13 degrees and drop to 8 degrees. Friday temperatures are expected to go back up to 26 degrees in Lake Forest.