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Winter 2014 The Coldest In Chicago In 30 Years

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 10, 2014 7:30PM

2014_2_10_chiberia.jpg
Photo credit: Greg Wass

Chiberia. Polar Vortex. Weather so cold Lincoln Park Zoo's polar bear needed to be sent indoors. Regardless of what you call it, this winter has been colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra. It's also a record setting cold.

Winter 2014 has been the coldest winter in Chicago in 30 years, with an average temperature of 19 degrees since Dec. 1. According to Skilling Central, that's 7.3 degrees below the average. Friday marked the 22nd day Chicago registered temperatures below zero, more than the last five winters combined.

But we do look to be headed for a thaw, at least according to Accuweather. If the forecast holds, Thursday will mark the only day with above freezing temperatures this week before we hit the weekend. Then, lo and behold, we could see some days where the mercury reaches the mid-40s, or "shorts weather" in some parts, midweek next week.

Here's hoping. By any standards we should be acclimated to this weather but it's still a chore at times to get through more of the same.