Brutal cold didn't stop these Chicagoans from doing weekend errands: 'We’re forcing ourselves out'
Streeterville resident Stan Heller donned his warmest winter clothes to take out his two Alaskan Klee Kai dogs Saturday morning.
The dogs, Mohawk and Tala, thrive in cold weather. But Heller said he prefers to stay indoors himself. He usually has a dog walker come on weekdays, but he had to do the task himself on account of the weekend.
“I wish it were warmer. But I enjoy being with them,” the 84-year-old said.
He was one of a few brave Chicagoans who bundled up and ventured out into the frigid weather on to handle their to-do lists.
It was the second day of dangerously low temperatures. The low was minus 11 degrees Friday at O’Hare Airport. Wind chills there reached minus 40.
Temperatures on Saturday were slightly warmer but still brutally cold. Wind chills were minus 30 degrees at O'Hare — temperatures that can cause frostbite on exposed skin in under a half hour.
Those dangerous temperatures did not scare away Miranda Mitchell, 29, and Tony Wodzinski, both 30, who left their Streeterville apartment Saturday to make some Christmas returns.
The couple stayed indoors all of Friday to avoid the tough conditions. They said after only a day they were going “stir crazy.”
“We’re forcing ourselves out,” said Mitchell. “As cold as it is, it’s also good to get some fresh air. And this is as fresh as it gets."
Snow was set to start falling Saturday evening and into Sunday. The snow could reduce visibility and make travel hazardous, weather officials said. The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Sunday.
Madalyn Galdamez, a real estate agent, said she was enjoying the cool temps on as she headed to show clients a property in Streeterville.
“I’m a penguin in my past life,” said Galdamez, 71. “I love the winter. I love the frozen lake.”
The native Chicagoan said she looks forward to the cold weather every year and dreads the summer months.
“You’d never catch me in Florida during the winter. That's for sure,” she said.