Question of the day
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* SJ-R…
Springfield tied a low-temperature record Wednesday morning as the thermometer at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport bottomed out at 14 below zero.
The official National Weather Service reading, taken between 5 and 8 a.m., tied the record for the lowest temperature recorded on a Jan. 30 in Springfield. It also got down to minus 14 on Jan. 30, 2004.
The city on Wednesday is likely to break the record for the coldest high temperature ever recorded on Jan. 30. The current record is 3 degrees, set in 2004. The predicted high temperature on Wednesday is expected to be 4 below zero.
* Tribune…
There’s a low of minus 8 degrees Wednesday at the South Pole, a few degrees above what suburban areas could see.
Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in the U.S., was about 9 below zero Wednesday morning.
Greenland’s capital Nuuk will have a high of about 18 degrees Wednesday, almost 35 degrees warmer than Chicago’s Wednesday highs of 10 to 15 below. […]
On Mars, the high will be almost 35 degrees warmer than Chicago, at around 19 degrees, according to NASA. But the low will be about 99 degrees below zero at night.
I ran the water in some of my faucets overnight, but one of my showers isn’t working, so I’m really bummed. My handyman advised me not to leave my house in case the pipe bursts, but I have session today, so I’m still deciding what to do.
* The Question: How are you and yours dealing with the cold?
- ya know - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:13 pm:
My house is warm. I skipped session because my pets and family are freaked out by the cold. Me not so much.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:15 pm:
Stayed home. Dripping faucets. Reading. Daydreaming about the tropical forecast of 40 and on Saturday.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:16 pm:
Staying inside, reading CapFax, eating, wandering around the house looking out the windows, wishing I could be walking my dog…repeat.
- SOIL M - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:16 pm:
Spending the day with grandsons that dont like being stuck in the house any more than I do. Also, receiving constant updates from my wife about how warm it is in FL.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:17 pm:
==On Mars, the high will be almost 35 degrees warmer than Chicago, at around 19 degrees, according to NASA.==
But can you get a decent Italian beef there?
- Pius - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:18 pm:
I am laying on the couch in a room heated by a wood stove and reading capfax.
I
- Blue Dog Dem - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:20 pm:
Actually watching about 40 robins in the yard.
- Rutro - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:22 pm:
walking on treadmill.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:23 pm:
Pulled out the carhartt overalls, bundled up in layers and went to work. It’s weather, we’ll get over it. In 7 months we’ll be complaining about the hot temperatures of summer.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:24 pm:
At work…had a online meeting this morning and doing catch up this afternoon.
- Proud Sucker - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:24 pm:
Manning the shop while my guys repair a water main break.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:24 pm:
Staying home. Making chicken wings. Baking apple pie.
Googling “ok to light fire in fireplace when 20 below?”
Watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qREKP9oijWI
- Retired Educator - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:28 pm:
Closed our small business. Just stayed home to get some cleaning done, and to finish putting away Christmas decorations. Oh yeah; caught up on the laundry. Warm inside, so a nap and a couple Abbot and Costello movies this afternoon.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:29 pm:
Working on lyrics to a breakout song…
- NorthsideNoMore - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:30 pm:
Was stranded in Sangamon Co last night but made it through !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6SRTJRAsq8
- Gohawks123 - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:31 pm:
Working in a building that’s 55…. And I’m happy with that
- We'll See - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:32 pm:
Trying to convince the shih tzu that double coats and booties does not mean it’s cold outside….. she really needs to go outside
- Terry Salad - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:32 pm:
Went in to work today. Had the option to work from home, but I don’t like to do that. 3 people in the office (normally over 120). Getting a lot done. If the CTA is running, my commute is easy. Of course, I did dress for the weather.
- striketoo - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:32 pm:
Wore my baklava out to feed my birds. Nothing like a little Greek dessert to keep you warm.
- Mr.Black - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:33 pm:
Make shift dog boots with socks, sandwich bags, and rubber bands. Keep your furry friends warm too!
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:33 pm:
Came to work to help staff my DHS office/warming center that the gov. said is so vital. Guess how many folks have stopped in to warm up. Here’s a hint–it’s fewer than one.
- yinn - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:36 pm:
Working from home, making soup, and occasionally spying on the birds gobbling like crazy from platform feeders and suet blocks. Year round we have cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, sparrows, and a hairy woodpecker. We see juncoes only in the winter, and house finches come and go (and they are MIA at the moment).
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:39 pm:
Wife and kids at home, so I’m at work. All extracurricular activities cancelled, so I’m returning home and will be using earplugs until they go to bed at nine.
- walker - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:40 pm:
Bottomed at -22 this am in Arlington Hts. And reportedly will be colder tomorrow. Working in my local office, but no traffic, nobody open, no phones answered downtown Chicago offices. Going home.
- Dog Lover - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:41 pm:
I cleaned salty footprints off the floor. Before I was done my husband tracked in more. No complaints. He is an electrician who is knowledgeable about the generator, which we depended on from 1:30 am til 9:00 am. We stocked up the firewood last night. Got my taxes done. Yay!
God bless the linemen! What a brutal day but they are working outside restoring power.
- yinn - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:42 pm:
==Actually watching about 40 robins in the yard.==
That’ll be us in a few weeks, 2-3 dozen in to eat the crab apples left on the tree.
- River Chic - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:44 pm:
Stayed home. Nice not rushing out the door at 8. Made a spinach omelette with shredded cheddar. Pot of coffee. Cleaning house. Making more coffee and hanging out on the second floor staying warm.
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:47 pm:
Let’s just say it’s a casual Wednesday here at the big U, lots of snow boots, jeans and sweatshirts. I haven’t seen a suit yet today.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:51 pm:
Staying inside where it’s warm, and feeling lucky that I’m retired so it’s my choice to do that.
And feeling awe for the folks like our firefighters, police, public works employees who go out in this mess because we need them to, while I get to sit at home with the cats, good books, and pots of tea.
On another site, I read someone complaining that the USPS suspended delivery in Chicago and elsewhere due to the weather. What, you can’t go one day without a bill or a piece of junk mail? Sheesh.
I’m also giving thanks that we don’t have Kentucky’s governor: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-kentucky-governor-bevin-soft-cold-20190130-story,amp.html
- Colossus of roads - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:53 pm:
Sorry to hear about your pipes. To the post, so far so good. I made it to work, the kids made it to work and the wife is safe at home.
- Small Town Boy - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:04 pm:
Running a trickle of hot water in the kitchen which is exposed to the north and a cornfield, at night I put a new heater in front of the open cabinet door. Furnace is set to 75, so all is comfortable, I am working from home today.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:07 pm:
Always run the light stream of water ever since a pipe break in 1995.
Booked a flight to Punta Gorda for early March.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:07 pm:
In actuality, follow up and “house cleaning” items, reorganizing some things, and using the time wisely to finish off stuff.
Staying warm, checking on plumbing (Feel for you Rich), good music softly in the background.
No desire to be outside.
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:16 pm:
Life Pro Tip: when leaving the house unoccupied in such cold weather, close your water valves (typically in the basement) for problem areas or even close the main shutoff. That way your house does not flood for hours if a pipe breaks. You could even drain the pipes as much as possible to further limit the chance of a break, by closing the main valve and then opening all the faucets until the water stops running in the lowest point in the house.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:24 pm:
Home. trickling water. (when leaving the house, that advice above may be suspect. consult Lou Manfredini of WGN for best to do). eating cheese sandwiches and pie. reading. listening to the man of the house rant about Trump.
- Honeybadger - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:25 pm:
Al Roker on the Kentucky Governor.
https://youtu.be/qiGK3imYA8Q
- Honeybadger - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:26 pm:
Went shopping, making soup and on the couch reading Capfax.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:30 pm:
I’m feeling pretty good about the young stray/feral cat which had been hanging around the deck that I tricked into coming inside 3 weeks ago tonight. The cat was initially not happy but has acquiesced to captivity, using the litter tray and eating regular meals. She’s still not very friendly, though. I doubt she’d have survived this snow and cold spell outside on her own. But I don’t think she knows that as she reclines on the floor heat register watching us with suspicion.
- Peters Piece - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:33 pm:
Usually work remotely on Wednesday. Volunteered to come in today and cover the ER for Social Work. The ER is too hot for me. Very few customers today
At home my wife is working remotely. My daughter who works retail had Tuesday and Wednesday off and starts at 4:00pm tomorrow. So all good all covered. The snow plow did clear the street and blocked my sidewalk and neighbors drive. Now too frozen to shovel.
- No Longer A Lurker - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:40 pm:
Hunkered down in the house. I’ve been reading CapFax, watching the talking heads on CNBC and waiting for the Illini to take on the Gophers at the Barn in Minnesota tonight at 8. I’m hoping our house makes it through the next 24 hours without any busted pipes and that my golden doodle takes his businessman’s walk at bit more seriously the next time I take him out. Rinse and repeat tomorrow.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:45 pm:
Had to get out this morning for a meeting. Really appreciated the remote start to warm the car up. Now we are entertaining grandkids.
House is staying warm but we are also running a couple of extra heaters. Just what you do in an older home.
I do have one frozen water line that runs underground from the house to the garage for a second bathroom. Expect it with thaw out tomorrow.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:56 pm:
“Had session today” sez Capt. Fax.
Like he was passing pot/casino/sports book bill this afternoon.
Nothin’ life or death here at the State House could have stayed home and blowed some hot air on your frozen pipes
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 3:04 pm:
Skipped the week of session and working from home today with a houseful that is making it challenging - the wife has already poured some wine while she entertains the kids with board games. Had to take the dog out at 7 when it was -20, bundled appropriately, but the jacket and boots that my wife bought Monday for the dog was a no go. Soup, knock off early, rinse and repeat tomorrow.
- Anotheretiree - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 3:06 pm:
Home,cleaning,reading,feeding the birds and squirrels. Thinking about the Australian heat wave. The comparisons on temperature are telling. I Googled northern cities around the world. Its literally only colder here, in 1/3 of North America. The Point Barrow temp really caught me eye. That’s as far north as you can drive,1200 miles from the North Pole, and Chicago is colder !!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 3:32 pm:
Managing dripping faucets for my house in Arlington Heights and an empty one in Champaign. Doing Dry January so V8 juice. Keeping in touch with the office via laptop. Watching TV weather news and news news. 24 hours to go.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 3:37 pm:
===Had to take the dog out at 7 when it was -20===
Mine got me up to go out at 5:45. She was just about to do her business when a squirrel distracted her. She remained intrigued for the next 10-15 minutes. It was painful.
- JDuc - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 4:14 pm:
Was at work at the office until 3:45, let the staff leave early. Meeting kids at painting store so they can do some painting and crafts. Pretty normal Wednesday.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 4:32 pm:
So far, so good. No school today or tomorrow, no mail, no garbage pick-up, but happy all are able to take the day off to stay warm. Shout out to all first responders working outside the last 24 hours to help those in need, you’re amazing. They say we’ll get down to negative 27 tonight. One more day…
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 4:36 pm:
Just chillin’ in an old drafty, hard to heat home. Space heaters and sweaters and a big fire in the fireplace, brisket in the oven. Hard to complain, but somehow I’ll find a way.
- Cler deacon - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 5:22 pm:
Ran 8 miles on treadmill and refretting 2 guitars for customers. The cold has been ok really for myself but others not so fortunate.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 5:35 pm:
Worked from home. Cleaned up a lot of email files. Thanking the furnace guy who comes every year to get it in top notch condition. Was willing to forgive the paper delivery guy if he couldn’t deliver this morning, but he did. I dedicated my NY Times Crossword effort to him.
Went out a total of 2 times for less than a minute each. -28 is a helluva lot colder than 0. Don’t need to add whatever the windchill is for dramatic effect. It’s definitely deadly out there.
- DrMark - Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 5:55 pm:
Work at a state hospital, so went to work as usual. Wore my motorcycle helmet for the hike from the parking lot to the office building (-17 degrees). Some people actually asked if I rode my Harley to work this morning. I told them sure thing…