Community Corner

Weather HQ: Could Oak Forest's Wind Chill Hit 50 Below?

More snow? Below-zero cold? Blizzard-like conditions? Patch keeps you updated on how the new year's extreme winter conditions will affect Oak Forest residents.

UPDATED: 11:04 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

A wind chill advisory remains in effect until noon Tuesday, Jan. 7, for Tinley Park, with wind chills expected to hit 50 below zero by Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
High temperatures are forecasted to be between 5 below and 18 below zero Monday, with lows from 12 below to 20 below zero by Monday night, the agency reports.

Oak Forest received 7.6 inches by Sunday afternoon, the weather service reports. That's in addition to the little more than 8 inches that had fallen in the city as of Jan. 3.

The extreme cold has already caused closings and cancelations throughout the village. Check out what schools have canceled classes Monday, as well as a roundup of other institutions and activities that have been affected. Patch will continue to update this information throughout the day.

Make sure you stay safe during this cold snap with these tips for your family, home and car.

UPDATED: 4:21 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4

A wind chill warning has been issued by the National Weather Service from 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, until noon Tuesday, Jan. 7.

UPDATE: 11:07 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4

The National Weather Service has upgraded to a winter storm warning until 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, with expected snow totals to be from 5 to 10 inches.

UPDATE: 9:57 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4

We might be done with the snow, but the snow isn't done with us.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, until midnight Sunday, Jan. 5, and is forecasting anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of snow to fall during that time. 

Expected high winds from 15 mph to 30 mph  also could result in blowing and drifting snow, which could hamper visibility and create hazardous driving conditions, the agency reported.

UPDATE: 1:01 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3

The forecasted below-zero temperatures could force school districts to cancel classes Monday. Find out what district administrators are considering Friday.

UPDATE: 11:51 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2


When it was all said and done, the National Weather Service reported that Oak Forest received 8.8 inches of snow during the first days of 2014

Now, however, the city and Cook County will be under a winter weather advisory from 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, to 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4. The threat of more snow is unlikely, but blowing and drifting snow could create blizzard-like conditions for evening commuters, according to the weather service. Wind speeds could be around 20 to 25 mph with gusts reaching 35 mph, the agency added.

"Dangerously cold temperatures" and wind chills starting Friday morning and extending through Tuesday night also are expected throughout northern Illinois, the NWS reports. Temperatures could reach 5 below to 17 below zero, and the wind chill index could make it feel as cold as 20 below to 25 below, according to the agency.

Check out the National Weather Service's wind chill chart in this article to figure out how cold it feels outside. Or go to the agency's website and use its wind chill index calculator.

ORIGINAL STORY

If you're a fan of snow, then 2014 has gotten off to your kind of start. 

Cook County is under a lake effect snow warning until 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, and while most of the heavy snow will hit the communities near Lake Michigan, Oak Forest is expected to get another inch or two of accumulation. 

Here's what we're keeping tabs during the first snow of 2014:


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