As Gary braces for a blast of bitter cold, the city has expanded its network of warming centers to protect residents from subzero temperatures expected in the coming days. Among the options is a newly reopened Ambridge-Mann Community Center on Fourth Avenue, providing critical overnight shelter for families, children, and the elderly at risk from the dangerous chill.
Ambridge-Mann Community Center is one of several warming sites across Gary and Northwest Indiana that open when freezing temperatures pose serious risks to vulnerable populations. Other locations include the Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center on West 41st Avenue, which serves mothers and children, and Brother’s Keeper on Broadway, a men’s shelter.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Gary, Northwest Indiana, and Chicago, citing a significant and excessive cold risk for the region.
There is a slight chance of flurries before noon Tuesday, but the day will remain sunny and bitterly cold, with temperatures expected to peak near 1 degree and wind chill values plunging as low as minus 25 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
For Wednesday, the forecast includes a 20% chance of snow, with cloudy skies and a high near 24. But wind chill values are anticipated to be around minus 15 degrees. On Thursday, there is a 20% chance of snow showers before noon, followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 23, according to the National Weather Service.
“This is not an extreme arctic outbreak, but it is notably colder than anything we’ve felt so far this year,” said Ricky Castro, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Below-freezing temperatures are more than an inconvenience — they are a public health threat. According to the National Weather Service, more than 1,100 Americans died due to cold weather from 1988 to 2023. Warming centers open when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below, and that’s what’s expected in Gary in the coming days, according to weather forecasts.
Castro recommends staying warm by bundling up in warm clothing when going outdoors, staying indoors if you can, and avoiding being outdoors for too long to avoid cold weather illnesses like hypothermia and frostbite.
Gary residents needing transportation can ride for free to a warming center on Gary Public Transportation Corporation buses by using “Code 32,” which ensures drivers will stop as close to the center as possible.
Women, Children, and Family Shelters
- Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
(219) 880-4900
Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Ambridge-Mann Community Center
2822 W. Fourth Ave., Gary
Open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. - Missionaries of Charity
509 W. Ridge Road, Gary
(219) 884-2140 (call for hours of operation)
Men’s Shelters
- Brother’s Keeper
2120 Broadway, Gary
(219) 882-4459
Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Restoration House Shelter for Men
1365 Taney St., Gary
(219) 427-1587 (call for hours of operation) - Serenity House (Alcoholism and Substance Treatment Center)
5157 Harrison St., Gary
(219) 980-1955 (call for hours of operation)
Residents can find the full list of the city’s warming centers in Gary and Northwest Indiana on the city’s website. Contact the center for more information.
This story has been updated.