With experts calling for the lowest temperatures for our area in eight years, here are some tips to help guide folks through the arctic blast that’s coming.
The forecast for tonight and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service office in Raleigh.
Tonight: Breezy. Much colder. Clear. Lows around 6. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening. Lowest wind chill readings 7 below to 4 above zero after midnight.
Tuesday: Cold but sunny. Highs in the lower 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 11 below to 3 above zero.
Tuesday night: Clear. Lows around 11.
What is the wind chill effect?
The Wind Chill Index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the speed of the wind increases, it can carry heat away from your body much more quickly. When there are high winds, serious weather-related health problems are more likely.
Heating your home safely
■ Do not place a space heater within 3 feet of anything that may catch fire
■ Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater
■ If your space heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks, do not use it
■ Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to use
■ Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water
Dress warmly and stay dry
Adults and children should wear:
■ A hat
■ A scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
■ Sleeves that are snug at the wrist
■ Several layers of loose fitting clothing
■ Be sure outer layer of clothing is tightly woven to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind
Eat and drink wisely
■ Eating well-balanced meals helps you stay warmer
■ Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages
■ Drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain body tempe rature
■ Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart
■ Dress warmly and work slowly
Keep a water supply
■ Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes rupture. When very cold tempe ratures are expected do the following:
■ Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
■ Keep the ind oor tempe rature warm.
■ Improve circulation of heated air near pipes. For example, open kitchen cabinet doors beneath the kitchen sink.
■ If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Instead, thaw them slowly by directing the warm air from an electric hair dryer onto the pipes.
Monitor body temperature
■ Infants less than one year old should nev er sleep in a cold room because infants lose body heat more easily than adults.
■ Provide warm clothing for infants and try to maintain a warm ind oor tempe rature.
■ Older adults often make less body heat because of slower metabolism and less physical activity. If you are over 65 year of age, check the tempe rature in your home often during severely cold weather.
■ Warning signs include:
■ Confusion, fumbling hands
■ Memory loss, slurred speech
■ A white or grayish-yellow skin area
■ Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
Prepare your car for winter
■ Have the radiator system serviced, or check the antifreeze level yourself
■ Replace windshield-wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture
■ During winter, keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines
Sources: National Weather Service, U.S Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.