- Wednesday January 21st, 2026 :: 08:51 a.m. CST
Extreme Cold Watch until 12:00PM Friday
* WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 to 35 below possible.
* WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and northeast Illinois.
* WHEN...From late Thursday night through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 35 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
* AFFECTED AREAS: WINNEBAGO ... BOONE ... MCHENRY ... LAKE ... OGLE ... LEE ... DE KALB ... KANE ... DUPAGE ... LA SALLE ... KENDALL ... GRUNDY ... KANKAKEE ... LIVINGSTON ... NORTHERN COOK ... CENTRAL COOK ... SOUTHERN COOK ... NORTHERN WILL ... SOUTHERN WILL ... EASTERN WILL
Instructions:
Dress in several layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. Check on older family, friends, and neighbors. Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Address/Location
Vermilion Valley Regional Communications Joint Authority
844 W Lincoln St
Pontiac, IL 61764
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 815-844-0911
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP VCOM followed by your message, to 888777
Alert Details
- Severity:
- Extreme - Extraordinary threat to life or property
- Urgency:
- Future - Responsive action SHOULD be taken in the near future
- Certainty:
- Likely (p > ~50%)
- Category:
- Meteorological (inc. flood)
- Event:
- Extreme Cold Watch
