Wind Chilled

Winter advisory goes through this morning

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Brace yourself. The coldest temperatures we've felt in a year have moved into the Chicago area, prompting a Wind Chill Advisory until 11 a.m.

Wind chill readings range from 10 to 22 degrees below zero throughout the morning. Several schools are starting late this morning because of the cold.

The deep freeze won't last long. Bitter Friday night temps between 0 and 5 will slowly rise overnight to highs of 18 to 22 on Sunday. For the Bears-Packers game, expect a light wind off the lake and highs in the low 20s.

But for now, bundle up! At these frigid temperatures, frost bite is possible in just a few minutes. 

"It's one of those things that if you wait too long you actually stop feeling the sensation in your fingertips and may feel it's OK, and this is the dangerous part of it," said Dr. Rahul Khare of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

To protect yourself, dress in layers and keep a winter weather emergency kit in your vehicle

Slips and falls on icy sidewalks have made for an increase in the number of emergency room visits, officials said. 

Those citizens who need help escaping from the cold or getting to a warming center should call 311.

Ironically, it was 25 years ago Thursday when Chicago saw it's record-breaking low.  On Jan. 20, 1986, the air temperature dipped to 27 below zero.  Wind chills hit a since-unheard of 80 degrees below zero.

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