The Village of Park Forest is opening warming centers as forecasters warn of dangerous arctic air expected to arrive this weekend and linger into early next week.
The Park Forest Police Department, 200 Lakewood Blvd., and Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, will serve as official warming centers during the cold snap. Village Hall is open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The police station is open 24 hours a day.
Temperatures are expected to drop sharply beginning Saturday, with daytime highs struggling to reach the teens. Highs are forecast at 19 degrees Saturday and 18 degrees Sunday, with overnight lows falling into the single digits. Wind chills during the weekend are expected to range from 5 to 10 degrees below zero.
Conditions are expected to worsen on Monday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when daytime temperatures may struggle to rise out of the single digits. Overnight lows could dip near zero, with wind chills as low as 15 to 20 degrees below zero.
Village officials are urging residents to take precautions against frostbite and hypothermia, both of which can develop quickly in extreme cold. Frostbite can occur within minutes when skin is exposed to subzero wind chills, particularly on fingers, ears, noses, and toes. Early signs include numbness, tingling, or skin that appears white or waxy. Hypothermia, caused by a drop in the body’s core temperature, may lead to confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, or slowed breathing.
Officials recommend residents dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors. Anyone experiencing numbness, confusion, or unusual fatigue should seek a warm location immediately.
The Village also advises residents to use caution when heating their homes. Space heaters should have automatic shut-off features and be kept at least 3 feet from flammable materials. Ovens and stoves should never be used for heating, electrical outlets should not be overloaded, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be working properly.
Residents are encouraged to check on neighbors, especially older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those who live alone.
For more information on warming centers or cold-weather safety, residents can contact Village Hall or the Park Forest Police Department.