It’s official.

Jan. 1, 2018, was the coldest New Year’s Day in the recorded history for our neck of the woods.

The National Weather Service Chicago recorded the coldest New Year’s Day in both Chicago and Rockford. Both locations set new record low maximum temperatures for the date; Rockford tied the record low minimum temperature and both sites had the coldest average temperature on record for Jan. 1.

A Wind Chill Warning is in effect until noon today (Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018), with wind chills 20 below to 35 below zero across the area.

The bitterly cold weather will continue this week, with the coldest conditions this morning. Temperatures will slowly warm into the high single digits to lower teens this afternoon.

A cold front will move across the area Wednesday morning, and there is a chance of snow showers ahead of this front, mainly before sunrise. A dusting of snow accumulation will be possible. Another Arctic high pressure will build across the region for the end of this week with widespread subzero low temperatures expected Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

Public Safety Concerns

The public-safety concerns continue to mount with dangerous cold. Click this link to find warming centers in Kane County.

Due to the bitter cold weather which greatly enhances the chance of damaging the outdoor warning sirens, the city of Aurora will not be conducting the monthly test of the sirens today (Tuesday, Jan. 2) as it usually does at 10 a.m. the first Tuesday of every month.

The Elgin Police Department is reminding residents that there’s an Elgin city ordinance and state of Illinois animal welfare law stating, “No owner of a dog or cat may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions.”

Pet owners, keep your furry family members safe from the elements. Residents, if you are concerned about the welfare of an animal, please call the Elgin Police Department’s non-emergency line at 847-289-2700, while issue is in progress.
For seasonal pet care tips, visit www.cityofelgin.org/petcare.

SOURCE: National Weather Service Chicago