Key facts
- Alert
- Freeze Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Chicago IL
- Areas
- Winnebago; Boone; McHenry; Ogle; Lee; De Kalb; Kane
- In effect
- until 8:00 AM CDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Sub-freezing temperatures are expected.”
NWS Chicago IL, Freeze Warning, 2:22 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
NWS Chicago IL, Freeze Warning, 2:22 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
NWS Chicago IL, Freeze Warning, 2:22 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Cover them or bring them indoors before the warning begins at 5 AM CDT Saturday.
Protect outdoor plumbing, since the National Weather Service says unprotected pipes could be damaged. Cover exposed pipes and outdoor spigots where you can.
Bring pets inside, and check on older neighbors. If you must travel early Saturday, dress warmly and carry a winter kit in your vehicle.
Context
The National Weather Service issued this warning at 9:23 AM CDT on Friday, October 16, 2026. It covers Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee, De Kalb and Kane counties.
FEMA flood-insurance claims count only insured properties, so they show past flood losses and not cold-weather damage. Winnebago County has 1,730 claims from 1978 to 2026, and McHenry County has 988. Boone County has 46. Winnebago and Boone counties were also covered by a 2011 FEMA declaration for a severe winter storm and snowstorm.
Updates
- The freeze warning expired at 8:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 AM CDT.
- NWS Chicago IL issued the freeze warning until 8:00 AM CDT.
History here
This county: 1730 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4819 (2024): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and floodng
- DR-4116 (2013): severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-1960 (2011): severe winter storm and snowstorm
- DR-1935 (2010): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1771 (2008): severe storms and flooding
This county: 46 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2019.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-1960 (2011): severe winter storm and snowstorm
This county: 988 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a freeze warning in Winnebago County, Illinois?
- Yes. The National Weather Service has a Freeze Warning for Winnebago County from 5 AM to 8 AM CDT Saturday.
- Which counties are under the freeze warning?
- The warning covers Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee, De Kalb and Kane counties in Illinois.
- What could the freeze damage?
- The National Weather Service says frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. They could also possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Sources
- NWS Chicago IL: Freeze Warning, Oct 17, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.