CHICAGO - Wind chills dipped to 20 degrees zero in greater Peoria and 30 degrees below in northern Illinois Friday morning, prompting schools to close and warming centers to open.
The National Weather Service had a wind chill advisory in effect until mid-morning for the Peoria Public Radio listening area.
Forecasters warned of frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes. Temperatures Friday morning were -4 in Peoria and -11 in Rochelle and Sterling. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport recorded -6 six with a wind chill of 20 below.
Some greater Peoria schools closed Friday including District 150, Quest Academy, all East Peoria public schools and Peoria Notre Dame.
The weather service says Friday's deep freeze is a preview of next week, which could bring more than a half-foot of snow to parts of Illinois and the potential for the "coldest stretch in years."
