Early-Mid February Cold Spell Update #1

(7:00PM - 2/6/21) A cold spell is settling into the region this weekend and is expected to continue through this upcoming week and the following weekend...Bringing very cold temperatures and very cold wind chills to the state and region during this period.

Summary....
A cold spell will impact the state and region, over the next week or so. During this time, a lobe of the "Polar Vortex" will drift around the Northern US and Southern Canada. This will lead to consistently cold temperatures across the state, with the northern half of the state being favored for the coldest temperatures and wind chills during this period. Across Northern Illinois where the coldest conditions are expected, daily high temperatures during this period will likely be limited to the single digits, potentially slightly below zero for some areas at times. Nightly low temperatures will regularly be below zero, potentially well below zero at times. Record cold high and low temperatures will be in jeopardy for several days during this period for many locations across Northern Illinois. In addition to the actual temperatures, very cold wind chills are expected daily/nightly. Wind chills by day will generally be between -10 to 5°, while wind chills by night will generally be between -35 to -5°. Colder wind chills are possible at times. Across Central Illinois cold conditions will will be possible at times, though it will not be as sustained or significant as Northern Illinois. Southern Illinois will only see brief shots of cold temperatures during this period of time.

Forecast For Next Two Days...
Sunday, Feb 7th Forecast...
High temperatures will range from -1 to 7° across Northern Illinois and 0-12° across Central Illinois, with wind chills ranging from -20 to 0° across Northern Illinois and -10 to 5° across Central Illinois. Low temperatures Sunday night will range from -8 to 1° across Northern Illinois and -1 to 8° across Central Illinois, with wind chill values of -20 to -5° across Northern Illinois and -15 to 5° across Central Illinois. Across Southern Illinois, extreme cold is not expected as of yet.

Monday, Feb 8th Forecast...
High temperatures will range from 4-14° across Northern Illinois and 9-18° across Central Illinois, with wind chills ranging from -10 to 10° across Northern Illinois and -5 to 10° across Central Illinois. Low temperatures Sunday night will range from -9 to 2° across Northern Illinois and -4 to 12° across Central Illinois, with wind chill values of -20 to -5° across Northern Illinois and -15 to 10° across Central Illinois. Across Southern Illinois, extreme cold is not expected as of yet.

Recap Summary...
Friday, Feb 5th Recap...
High temperatures ranged from 10-20° across Northern Illinois, with wind chills having ranged from -10 to 5°. Low temperatures ranged from -7 to 7° across Northern Illinois, with wind chill values of -20 to 0°. Across Central and Southern Illinois, extreme cold did not occur.

JP