January snow in Wilmette, Illinois.

Every Chicagoan knows that the winters here can be brutally cold and very snowy.  This year is no exception and it is only the beginning of February!

During the first week of January, temperatures began to drop and wind chills made going outside almost unbearable.

Being outside in extremely cold conditions can be very dangerous. According to webMD, frostbite occurs when skin is exposed to below zero temperatures. The skin looks pale or even blue, and a person’s exposed skin takes on a numb feeling. Hypothermia, or an unusually low body temperature, occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can make it. This should be taken very seriously and, unfortunately, can even be life threatening.

“Of all the health risks the extreme cold can pose, the biggest dangers are hypothermia and frostbite, according to CBS Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay,”

These conditions can often be prevented by wearing proper warm clothing, keeping eyes shielded from the wind, and best of all, staying inside or going outside for no longer than 5 or 10 minutes.

Because of the dangers of the cold weather in 2015, many area schools made the decision to close for two or even three days. Regina closed for two days, Wednesday January 7 and Thursday, January 8. Students were extra thankful for the opportunity to stay warm by staying indoors and relaxing, watching movies, and drinking hot chocolate.

On the other hand, some schools decided to brave the cold weather and stay open. Arguments for keeping schools open lean towards working parents who have to scramble for child care or extended days added to the end of the school year as a reason to keep schools open.

With the beginning of January hitting the Chicago area with sub-zero temperatures, the end of January saw its first major snowstorm. Blizzard conditions and nearly a foot of snow have blanketed the Chicago region. The white fluffy snow is beautiful to look at and ideal for skiing and sledding, but precautions still need to be taken, especially when driving or shoveling the snow.

Regardless of whether or not schools close on these cold or snowy days, it is important to be wise by bundling up if you need to go outdoors. Stay safe and stay warm!