Extreme Cold, Dangerous Wind Chill Grips The Chicago Area

Another round of dangerously cold winter weather has swept the Chicago area, with subzero temperatures and harsh wind chill values plummeting as low as -25 in some areas.

Monday morning was bright, but bitter cold. Temperatures began below zero, before barely climbing into the single digits through the course of the day. At 7 a.m., temperatures were at a biting -4, with wind chill readings -15 to -25 across metro Chicago.

Find a Warming Center in the Chicago Area

A Wind Chill Advisory was in effect until 12 p.m. Monday for nearly all counties across the Chicago area, including: DuPage, Cook, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Benton, as well as northwest Indiana.

The National Weather Service warns the temperatures could cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes, and if you must go outdoors, take proper precautions, wearing layers as well as a hat and gloves. Hypothermia can also occur in the frigid conditions.

Monday afternoon was mostly sunny, breezy and bitter, with temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees above zero, but remaining well-below zero with the wind chill all day long. Powerful wind guests are expected reached upwards of 25 mph.

18 Ways to Stay Warm When It's Ridiculously Cold

Some lake effect snow showers continue in the northern Indiana Michiana snow belts.

Monday evening skies remain clear and temps fall into the single digits below zero inland, but low single digits in the city and NW Indiana. Even though the wind will be lighter, wind chill readings will still remain in the -5 to -20 range.

Full forecast for the week ahead:

Wednesday: Overcast with light snow in the morning tapering top flurries before ending with some accumulation likely, initial projections from 1 inch far north increasing to 4 inches far south; breezy and not as cold with highs in the mid 20s.