How Chicago residents prepare for -50 degree (apartments, hotel)

[fusillirob1983]

-Frostbite
-Burst pipes in their homes.
-Some electronic garage door openers have issues if it's too cold.
-If there was any water buildup around the garage door that turned to ice, it can jam the door when attempting to open it.

Frostbite is easily preventable by avoiding extensive exposure, yet people are still going to the burn unit at hospitals to have it dealt with.

You can try to prevent burst pipes by opening the cabinets, running the dishwasher, running hot water, etc, but if that information isn't shared, people won't know to do it. I know someone that took the listed precautions and still ended up with a frozen pipe.

[GoCUBS1]

Gore-tex and schnapps

[Atlanta_BD]

-Dress in layers.
-Keep scarf over mouth, nose and neck.
-Keep hat pulled over forehead.
-Wear ski goggles.
-Bought hand and foot warmers.
-Started car, 3/4 full tank of gas.
-Bought groceries.
-Don't go out if not necessary.
-Move quick, get to your destination.

[damba]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

Gore-tex and schnapps

LOL

I just skip right to the whiskey

[ngrome]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

I ran errands today. I stopped at a café, and then I went to the pharmacy, grocery store, picked up takeout for family, and stopped at a park. I am going back out to do some bowling. I don't understand why people are so freaked out. A blizzard is much more inconvenient.

Blizzard my come Thursday, lol, or at least some snow, as it starts to "warm" up.

[LagunaMom]

I think it comes down to what you're used to.
If you're in AK or the UP of MI, then yes, way below zero temps are par for the course.
We moved from Chicago to Phoenix in '73. On one hand, in Chicago you can get frostbite within minutes and freeze to death outside overnight, but these cold snaps pass. Where we live, the heat last for month after month. Wears you down. Even with the a/c on in my house, i still can't get it under 82 when it's really hot outside. Plus, we're in a heat island now, so during the worst of it, the overnight temps may not even drop to 90. Miserable.

[prhill]

Originally Posted by LagunaMom

I think it comes down to what you're used to.
If you're in AK or the UP of MI, then yes, way below zero temps are par for the course.
We moved from Chicago to Phoenix in '73. On one hand, in Chicago you can get frostbite within minutes and freeze to death outside overnight, but these cold snaps pass. Where we live, the heat last for month after month. Wears you down. Even with the a/c on in my house, i still can't get it under 82 when it's really hot outside. Plus, we're in a heat island now, so during the worst of it, the overnight temps may not even drop to 90. Miserable.

Please just thinking of those hot temps makes me cringe as we will have to deal with that hot crap before we know it already!

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

I ran errands today. I stopped at a café, and then I went to the pharmacy, grocery store, picked up takeout for family, and stopped at a park. I am going back out to do some bowling. I don't understand why people are so freaked out. A blizzard is much more inconvenient.

Same, took the kids to an event, went out to lunch and bought some groceries yesterday.

[SkylarkPhotoBooth]

Originally Posted by Nodpete

I wonder how the folks that live further North survive these temperatures every year ? Do not believe that a -50 wind chill is anywhere near what -50 air temperature feels like. The hype that these local weather people are pushing is ridiculous.

I've noticed this too-- It seems that each year there is more and more conflation of temperature with wind chill among the general public, and some of the less scrupulous media outlets seem to be contributing to this.

Don't get me wrong, it's still extremely cold, but that's all the more reason that we shouldn't need to exaggerate it. When we talk about the temperature, let's use the temperature. When we talk about the windchill, let's use the windchill. There's no reason to say the temperature is reaching -50 when we really mean the windchill is reaching -50 and the actual temperature is -20. The reality is cold enough-- just report the facts, please.

[Nodpete]

Originally Posted by skylarkphotobooth

i've noticed this too-- it seems that each year there is more and more conflation of temperature with wind chill among the general public, and some of the less scrupulous media outlets seem to be contributing to this.

Don't get me wrong, it's still extremely cold, but that's all the more reason that we shouldn't need to exaggerate it. When we talk about the temperature, let's use the temperature. When we talk about the windchill, let's use the windchill. There's no reason to say the temperature is reaching -50 when we really mean the windchill is reaching -50 and the actual temperature is -20. The reality is cold enough-- just report the facts, please.

bingo!!!