The National Weather Service issued a cold-weather advisory for Chicago and other parts of the state this weekend, warning of “dangerously cold wind chills” that could dip as low as 20 to 25 degrees below zero.

Chicago area temperatures are predicted to peak in the lower 40s Friday before falling to minus 7 Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorologist Casey Sullivan said Friday’s highs will be above normal but won’t be unusual for mid-January.

Temperatures will drop into the single digits and negatives starting Saturday through early next week. Chicagoans should wear lots of layers and limit time outdoors.

Monday and Tuesday will see cold temperatures around 18 to 19 degrees during the day, falling to single digits at night.

A more than 30-degree temperature drop in a matter of days could soon usher in some of the coldest temperatures the Chicago area has seen in years. But when can you expect the dramatic shift?

In Chicago, snow seasons are tracked from July through the following June. The area normally can expect 38.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago was warmer than average during the 2023-24 season due to a La Niña climate system,

The drop in temperatures in Chicago has raised concerns about river ice formation, which could lead to ice jams in major waterways.

The dramatic drop in temperatures highlights a continuation of the Midwest's colder-than-usual start to the year. Tuesday's west winds, gusting up to 25 mph, are expected to exacerbate the chill factor,

Temperatures are expected to plunge into the single digits Saturday night and remain there until Wednesday. Wind chill temperatures are expected to reach as low as negative 14 degrees.

After the snow, a cold front will race across the Chicago area Tuesday, sending 'feels-like' temperatures below zero

A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for Chicago with wind chills as low as -25˚, increasing the risk of frostbite in 30 minutes. Warming centers are open throughout the city from Jan. 18 to Jan. 24, including community centers, libraries, park district locations, and police stations.