Arctic Cold To Freeze Skokie: Where To Find Warming Centers

SKOKIE, 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, Skokie operates warming centers at the following locations:

• Weber Leisure Center - 9300 Weber Park Place
• Oakton Community Center - 4701 Oakton Street
• Devonshire Cultural Center - 4400 Greenwood Avenue
• Skokie Public Library - 5215 Oakton Street
• Niles Township - 5255 Lincoln Avenue
• Cook County Courthouse - 5600 Old Orchard Road

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 Skokie, temperatures are expected to drop to 7 degrees Wednesday night. On Thursday, temperatures will hit a high of 14 degrees and drop to 6 degrees. Friday temperatures are expected to go back up to 27 degrees in Skokie.