Chicago woke up Saturday to dangerous, below-zero wind chills as an arctic blast tightened its grip on the region, creating hazardous conditions during one of the busiest weekends of the holiday season.

Early morning temperatures across the city and suburbs felt like the negative single digits, with wind chill values expected to fall even further as the day goes on — potentially plunging more than 25 degrees below zero at times. While actual temperatures will remain in the low teens and single digits, strong winds are making conditions feel far more severe.

Light snow began falling early Saturday in parts of southern Chicagoland, with several hours of snowfall expected mainly south of Interstate 80. Forecasters say most of the city will see little to no accumulation, though areas farther south could pick up close to two inches. While snow impacts are expected to be limited, meteorologists say the extreme cold and wind pose the greatest danger.

Wind gusts near 20 miles per hour are expected through the afternoon and evening, keeping wind chills near or below zero all day. Temperatures are not expected to climb out of the single digits until late evening, offering little relief for those spending time outdoors.

The conditions are raising concerns for outdoor holiday attractions such as the Christkindlmarket, where shoppers and vendors often remain outside for extended periods. Health experts warn that frostbite and hypothermia can develop quickly in these temperatures, particularly for children, older adults, and anyone with exposed skin.

Retailers across Chicago are also feeling the impact as the dangerous cold could shorten shopping trips or keep customers indoors altogether. Many holiday shoppers are expected to bundle up to finish errands, but officials are urging people to limit time outside, take frequent warming breaks, and dress in multiple layers.

The cold intensifies Saturday night into Sunday morning, when air temperatures are expected to drop below zero and wind chills could range from 20 to 30 degrees below zero. While sunshine is expected Sunday, wind chills are forecast to remain below zero through much of the day, keeping conditions dangerous for outdoor activities.

As Chicago pushes through the heart of the holiday season, the severe cold serves as a stark reminder that winter weather can quickly turn festive plans into serious safety risks.