City warns of super cold
City officials gave a weather warning to Super Bowl revelers planning to party outside today: Use common sense.
"It will be dangerously cold. If you do not have to go outside, we are recommending people stay indoors," Chicago Health Commissioner Terry Mason said Saturday as temperatures dipped to minus-2 degrees.
In anticipation of minus-10 temperatures this morning, Mason and officials of the Human Services Department and Office of Emergency Management and Communications encouraged precaution as they outlined city response plans.
About 60,000 emergency warning and well-being calls were placed to the elderly and disabled on a city registry beginning Friday, and human services crews began well-being checks of the at-risk.
The city's warming center network was activated. Citizens can locate their nearest warming center by calling 311.
The wind chill will make it feel much colder than minus-10 this morning.
"What people will feel as they're walking outside Sunday is temperatures as low as minus-25 to minus-30 because of the wind chill," said National Weather Service meteorologist Charles Mott.
City officials issued a warning to tailgaters who will be permitted in the south lot of Soldier Field between 8 a.m. and one hour after the game.
"For individuals who intend to be at Soldier Field, we urge them to take precautions to protect themselves from this extreme cold," said Andrew Velasquez, executive director of emergency management.