Bitter-cold morning, warmer through the weekend

Skies will clear out and temperatures will drop Friday morning to the 20s degrees – the coldest air since December 2015– last year our coldest temperature was 26 degrees. If your vehicle is parked outdoors without any covering, grab the windshield scraper. Frost will be on the windows.

A strong ridge of high pressure settles over the western U.S., the weekend into much of next week–the region should remain dry. The weather set-up will allow a gradual warmup, with temperatures back to normal by Sunday.With the clearing and dry air mass in place, overnight lows will be quite chilly through the weekend.

Remember the “Four P’s” of cold weather safety as the temperatures drop the next several mornings.

Protect People: Pay careful attention to children and the elderly. They are especially vulnerable to the cold and the least able to protect themselves. Dress in layers and wear a hat that covers your ears.

Protect Plants: Bring potted plants indoors. Keep outdoor plants and trees watered.

Protect Pets: Bring all pets indoors. Pets that must be left outside should have an enclosed shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind.

Protect Pipes: slowly drip your sink at night to prevent pipes from freezing.

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