Severe Cold Heads Into Town, Will Stay Through Thursday

Here's the bad news: Monday had the last double-digit temperatures you'll see for the rest of week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook this week for more than 20 area counties, including Kane County.

Temperatures will drop below zero for the Tri-Cities and the greater Chicago area by early Tuesday morning. Add the wind chill and there will be readings of 15 to 25 degrees below zero after midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Monday had morning snow flurries and then some afternoon snow. Highs were in the mid 20s for this period, but then readings will plummet.

The cause of the drop is a cold arctic air mass, which will stick around through Thursday. Nighttime temperatures are expected to reach below zero on Tuesday and Wednesday. Daytime temperatures will likely not climb beyond single digits, according to the weather service. The daytime wind chill readings will be at or below zero.

This bitter cold is just one reason the National Weather Service has issued the hazardous outlook for the week.

A warming period is expected this weekend and could lead to ice jam flooding on area rivers. 

More Details

Tuesday's high temperatures will be between 6 and 10 degrees with wind chills of 10 to 20 degrees below zero through the evening, according to the weather service. Wednesday will be more of the same, with wind chill readings of 15 to 25 below zero in the morning. Thursday's high temperatures will be between 9 and 13 degrees.

After the frosty conditions, temperatures could reach above 35 degrees or more by Sunday, according to the weather service. Rapid snow melting might lead to runoff and ice breaks on rivers.

Check weather reports later this week for updates.