Winter Weather
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourages residents to be prepared for the Winter Season. Public safety is the top priority and staying safe during the winter months requires taking steps now to winterize our homes and cars and prepare our families when the cold, wind, ice and snow comes our way.
Find the DCFS Warming Center nearest you.
OEMC will work closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) to monitor weather conditions throughout the season 24/7 and alert the public to severe weather or extreme cold. It’s important to be prepared and take safety precautions. OEMC will keep the public informed when certain thresholds set by the National Weather Service are reached. These triggers are as follows:
• Winter Weather Advisory (Be Aware): Potentially dangerous winter weather is expected within the next 12-36 hours; Travel difficulties are expected.
• Winter Storm Watch (Be Prepared): Chance for high-end winter impacts is increasing and possible. Issued within 36-48 hours in advance of conditions.
• Winter Storm Warning (Take Action): Dangerous winter weather is expected in the next 12-36 hours or is occurring; Travel problems are expected.
• Blizzard Warning: Severe winter weather is expected in the next 12-36 hours or is occurring – including white out conditions. Do not travel.
• Snow Squall Warning: Rapid onset, brief, intense bursts of snow and strong winds with significant threat to travelers. Delay travel.
Extreme Cold: NOTE: The NWS has revised their Cold Weather Headlines, they are no longer using “Wind Chill” Advisories, Warnings and Watches.
• Cold Weather Advisory (Be Aware): The potential for actual or wind-chill temperatures between –20°F to –30°F.
• Extreme Cold Watch (Be Prepared): Chance for extreme cold is increasing for actual or wind-chill temperatures between –20°F to –29°F.
• Extreme Cold Warning (Take Action): Dangerous conditions exist for actual or wind-chill temperatures below or at –30°F
For additional Winter preparedness tips, visit weather.gov/safety/winter-ww
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