Batavia and Geneva Dig Out, Dangerously Cold Temps on Way

As if 7 inches or so of snow entering 2014 was not enough seasonal weather to deal with, Old Man Winter is adding a frosty touch of dangerously cold temperatures beginning Sunday, so if you have to go outside, protect yourself.

This is the kind of weather during which health professionals advise just that, and no wonder — just take a look at the forecast.

An arctic blast will blow through the Fox Valley beginning Sunday, according to Accuweather, which predicts that temperatures in the Tri-Cities will plummet from the mid-teens on Friday and upper 20s degrees on Saturday to just 2 degrees Sunday and 5 below zero on Monday. Tuesday’s high is forecast at just 5 degrees.

Winds are expected to range from 12 mph to the low 20s during the same period.

“Warmer” weather won’t arrive until Wednesday, when the high is expected to hit 21 degrees before moving into the 30s for the rest of the week.

Combined with the winds, the frigid temperatures could be dangerous, and if you have to venture outside, take steps to stay warm. Dress for the weather — when it’s this cold, a ski mask or scarf ought to be in your arsenal to protect otherwise exposed skin. Gloves or mittens are a must.

If you will be on the road, make sure you have a blanket in the car, as well as a charge along with your cellphone. Add a flashlight, and when you go,  make sure someone knows where you are doing.

Snow Removal in Geneva

Geneva did not get socked as hard as some other areas of the Chicago region — Gurnee was leading the pack on Thursday morning at 18 inches.

Nonetheless, the city’s Public Works crews were out — 7.5 inches of snow is nothing to sneeze at, either.

According to the city’s website, “Our Public Works crews have been working around the clock the last 48 hours, and we're hopefully seeing this storm wind down to a close.”

By midday, the city’s plows were in cleanup mode, according to the website, which means the plows were moving off arterial streets and main thoroughfares into  residential areas to clear streets to the curb.

City crews were scheduled to work Thursday night to clear snow from the downtown district and haul off large piles of snow. The website states the city's contractor will clear downtown parking lots.

“The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Kane County from 9 p.m. tonight through 10 a.m. Friday,” Geneva’s website states. “Temperatures are expected to drop between -8 to -18 below zero, and the wind chill will make it feel like it is -15 to -25. Make sure you dress warmly if you have to be outdoors tonight.”

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