chicago almost 20 below zero. the coldest christmas eve in nine years here. >> what do you got. >> reporter: what have you got? rattle them off for me. >> under armor on, sweater and coat. >> and still feeling the cold? >> still feeling the cold. >> reporter: near cleveland, a 40-car pileup closed a stretch of i-90. and in kansas drivers spinning out and into ditches. in minnesota and parts of the upper midwest, temperatures dropping to a bone-chilling 30 below zero. in minneapolis, even the holiday cheer comes with a cold dose of reality. bitter cold in chicago and parts of the midwest is expected to break and give way to snow, which could lead to that white christmas so many people are hoping for. alex perez, abc news, chicago. >> as alex mentioned, the upper midwest is getting snow today. while a big part of the country continues to bundle up. >> for many it's the coldest christmas in years. accu-weather meteorologist jim dickey continuing our coverage this morning. good morning, jim. good morning, john and diana,