Polar Vortex Freezes Chicagoland Into A Ghost Town: 1 Year Later

OAK LAWN, IL — It was one year ago today, Jan. 30, 2019, when much of life in and around Chicago came to a halt. A dangerous cold-front hit the area for three days, and not only were all schools closed, but work was canceled for many, and the majority of businesses decided it was best to just not open that day.

The cold was here from Jan. 29 to Jan. 31, with the Wednesday, Jan. 30, being the coldest day. Temperatures hit -31 in Rockford and -23 in Chicago that day, according to the National Weather Service. It was the coldest day the area had seen in 34 years.

A far cry from today, Jan. 30, 2020, when temperatures are about 60 degrees warmer.

Oak Lawn Patch Editor Lorraine Swanson and I teamed up to drive around town capturing the blankness that was life coming to a stop one year ago. Parking lots were empty at Village Hall, Kolmar Elementary School, the Oak Lawn Public Library and even at Chicago Ridge Mall.

Most of the cars on the road were either emergency vehicles or ComEd, and hardly anyone was in the Jewel-Osco on 103rd Street east of Cicero that did open for the day.

These photos below aren't the best, but it was 30 below and far from ideal photography conditions. Find them all in our Facebook gallery here.