A blast of frigid arctic air moving into the country from Canada promises to grip the United States’ Midwest and Northeast next week. Temperatures are going to drop far below freezing from the Windy City to the Big Apple to boost energy demands and to present homeowners with some tough challenges.
The cold weather will arrive in the Midwest by Saturday where it will begin to push temperatures down dramatically. In Chicago, overnight lows this weekend may be -3 or below and by Sunday, New York may see highs of only around 15 above zero. Boston could reach a high of around 12 Sunday while those living in the nation’s capital will see the mercury rise no higher than 18 degrees above zero by the end of the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
It’s very likely that the temperatures will dip below zero for most of the Midwest this weekend. People living in the Midwest are being reminded that extreme cold weather can wreak havoc on their homes as furnaces have to work extra hard and are subject to breakdowns while water pipes inside homes can freeze and burst. Now is the time to change those furnace filters and to wrap pipes with insulation tape. If away from home during the cold snap, it’s a good idea to ask someone to check on your home to make sure no pipes have frozen. Allowing water to drip from faucets when it’s very cold outside can prevent pipe freeze-ups and doing something as simple as leaving cupboard doors below sinks open can provide exposed pipes with enough warm air to prevent them from freezing.
When temperatures are only reaching into single digits during the daytime hours, there is a big risk for frostbite. It only takes a few minutes for exposed skin to become frost-bitten. Americans living in those areas of the country where extreme cold is being forecast are being reminded to bundle up and not to stay outside long. If travel is necessary when it’s bitterly cold outside, it’s important to carry a few extra things in your vehicle like blankets, extra socks, sweaters, sand or road salt, a shovel, matches and a working cell phone w/ extra battery.
