More snow, plunging temperatures here to stay for most of week, forecasters say

The winter hits keep on coming for Chicago.

After two days of brutal windchills, more snow is expected by Sunday evening as the lingering cold snap is poised to become the area’s longest in years, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures at O’Hare Airport hit 6 degrees below zero Saturday morning, when Midway Airport was at minus 3, the weather service said.

The mercury bottomed out in central Illinois even lower at the same time, with Rochelle getting down to minus 23.

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West suburban Sugar Grove’s temperature reached 24 degrees below zero, and Rockford broke a record low for the date at minus 21.

Light snow is expected through Saturday evening with up to an inch north of Interstate 88, and 1-3 inches for south of I-88/Interstate 290.

Temperatures in Chicago topped out at about 12 degrees on Saturday, making it easy for light snow stick and cause slick spots. Motorists are advised to slow down and increase their following distance.

After that, 6 inches of snow are possible from Sunday night through Monday afternoon. Heavy snow was said to be possible farther north, as much as 10 inches, with moderate snow area-wide and blowing snow Monday afternoon.

Hazardous travel was anticipated, especially for the Monday morning commute, NWS added. Motorists were advised to plan for significantly increased travel times for slippery and snow-covered roads.

Temperatures may rise to the low-30s on Monday before plunging back below zero by Tuesday, when another Arctic front could bring the longest prolonged cold stretch in at least the last five years, and possibly much longer, according to the weather service.

“Brutally cold” temperatures in windchills are “very likely” for Tuesday through Thursday, the weather service said Saturday morning. Temperatures were expected to stay below zero that stretch of days, with lows between minus 10 and 20 Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Wednesday’s high temperature could hover near minus 10.

In that same span, the windchill can reach as low as minus 40 going into Wednesday morning and looks to stay minus 20 or below throughout, the NWS said.

The weather service warned residents to plan ahead for what they will be doing for those three days. Locals are also advised to ensure their homes and vehicles are ready for the extended stretch of cold weather.

The weather service previously noted that with the low temperatures and windchills, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as short as a half-hour. Anyone outdoors during the prolonged cold should wear both a hat and gloves to lower the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

City, county and state warming centers are available for residents who need to get out of the cold.