Extreme Cold, Heavy Snow to Impact Illinois This Weekend

State officials in Illinois are warning residents to take this winter storm seriously and to prepare for a multi-wave weather event, with heavy snow downstate and extreme, life-threatening cold across the Midwest.

Illinois Faces Multi-Wave Winter Storm, -40 Wind Chills

According to a press release from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), a combination of heavy snow and extreme wind chills could disrupt travel, strain infrastructure, and pose serious health risks.

A major weather system is forecast to bring extreme cold to Illinois, while southern Illinois is expected to face two rounds of heavy snowfall, according to the press release.

Northern and central Illinois are under an Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills projected to plunge as low as -30 to -40 degrees, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia in minutes. Officials warn that prolonged exposure and unnecessary travel could be life-threatening.

Southern Illinois Faces the Heaviest Snow Impacts

In southern Illinois, a significant amount of snowfall is expected to accumulate, with 6 to 12 inches possible through Sunday evening (1/25), while central parts of the state are likely to get 2 to 6 inches of snow over 36 hours, while also dealing with extreme cold.

Governor Pritzker says IEMA-OHS has been directed to deploy resources and coordinate with local agencies to keep roads passable and communities safe.

We are preparing for extreme weather conditions statewide and urging all Illinoisians to take precautions throughout the weekend to stay safe and warm. -Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Officials recommend avoiding unnecessary travel, insulating exposed pipes, maintaining a three-day supply of essentials, dressing in layers, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.

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Residents in need are encouraged to check the Illinois Warming Center dashboard by clicking HERE, or get more in-depth weather guidance from the State of Illinois HERE.

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi