Bitterly cold temperatures expected in Chicago through Thursday morning

An arctic blast moving into the Chicago area was expected to cause temperatures to plummet overnight.

Scattered snow showers and blustery winds Wednesday afternoon were the first signs of the frigid temperatures expected to move in overnight.

Temperatures Wednesday reached the mid-20s with gusty winds up to 40 mph, but conditions are forecast to quickly dip to the single digits at night, the National Weather Service said.

The low temperatures, combined with strong winds, were forecast to push the wind chill as low as 20 below zero.

Though Thursday will be sunny, temperatures are not expected to reach higher than the teens before again dropping into the single digits at night, weather officials said.

Gusts of winds up to 25 mph Thursday will send the wind chill as low as minus 14.

City officials have made more than 190 facilities available for anyone to stay warm, including the city’s five warming centers, which open when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. These warming centers are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:

• Englewood Community Service Center, 1140 W. 79th St.
• Garfield Community Service Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
• South Chicago Community Service Center, 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
• Trina Davila Community Service Center, 4312 W. North Ave.

The following warming centers also will be open Wednesday and Thursday:

• Chicago Public Library locations, except the Water Works locations
• Chicago Park District locations
• Chicago police districts

On Friday, temperatures are forecast to rise to the low 30s with mostly sunny skies, but that won't last long.

A mix of snow and rain is in the forecast for most of the day Saturday and overnight. Some lingering rain is possible Sunday.