Chicago’s Big Freeze

• It is -33C (-27F) – with the winds it is -45C (-50F)!
• Schools, universities, government offices are closed
• Flights and trains are cancelled
• Chicago river is frozen!
• It is colder than Antarctica – and Mars!

The Mayor of Chicago is telling people, “ If you have to go outside, do not open your mouth or talk. You can freeze your lungs!”

What are the people saying?

“I’m wearing 3 pairs of socks, 4 T-shirts, 3 jumpers and a big coat – just for 5 minutes outside!” says Dan, 15.

“I’m trying to work from home – and we have ice inside our house,” says Dan’s dad, Barry. “My wife found ice in our microwave!”

“It’s boring!” says Carly, 11. The cold froze my phone! I can’t go out and I can’t talk to my friends!”

Police stations, libraries and community centres are giving homeless people and old people a warm place to sleep.

But some people are having fun in this weather. Here are their ideas:

• Throw hot water into the air and watch it freeze – in the air!
• Get your jeans wet and put them outside in the snow. They’ll freeze and stay standing up.
• Blow bubbles and watch them freeze!
• If you put a raw egg on the pavement, it will freeze in 30 seconds.

Do you like the snow?

Would you like to have weather this cold for a week? Why? Why not?