Blast of Arctic air to send wind chills plunging below zero in Chicago area

The Chicago area has experienced plenty of wintry weather in recent days, but a blast of icy Arctic air will send wind chills plummeting this week.

According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, those wind chills could drop below zero as soon as Wednesday night, and when residents wake up Thursday morning they could see readings of up to 10-to-20 degrees below zero.

If air temperatures dip below zero, it would mark the first time since mid-February that readings have been that cold in the Chicago area.

Before that arrives, the Chicago area will have to deal with yet another chance of snow on Wednesday, according to forecast models. Accumulations aren’t expected to amount to much, anywhere from a trace to around one-half inch of snow, but that snow will be forming ahead of a cold front that will send temperatures plummeting.

That drop in temperatures will arrive in force late Wednesday afternoon and into the evening, with air temperatures registering in the single-digits and feels-like readings dropping below zero.

The National Weather Service warns that ice could form quickly on Chicago-area rivers and streams, and ice jams could form, causing flooding behind them.

Wind chills early Thursday morning will be even chillier, with readings ranging from minus-5 to minus-20 degrees, especially away from the city of Chicago. Brisk winds out of the north will help drive those frigid wind chills, with frostbite possible within 30 minutes for those caught outdoors without warm clothing.

Relief will be slow to arrive, as high temperatures Thursday are only expected to be in the teens. Overnight lows Thursday and into Friday could once again drop below zero in some locations, with wind chills measuring up to minus-15 degrees overnight.

Air temperatures Friday could increase into the low-to-mid 20s, but another chance of snow could arrive in the forecast Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures will remain in the 20s or potentially creep back into the 30s.

 Stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team for all the latest forecast updates, and download the NBC Chicago app for real-time weather alerts sent directly to your phone.