This post is an update of one from yesterday, but with some added cautions/advice from readers, etc. about the cold weather, and new data. Here is the temperature and wind chill forecast for BHM from the GFS model.
We should go below freezing late this evening as NW winds increase, with highs tomorrow only in the lower 30s, and wind chills in the teens all day. Tomorrow night should be the coldest night, with lows near 12. Wind chills by early Friday morning will be near zero in BHM. It will stay in the 20s all day Friday, and hold near 20 Friday night. We’ll finally go above freezing on Saturday morning, so we’ll have about 60 consecutive hours below freezing. We’ve had 219 days with highs at or below freezing since 1896. We’ve only had 41 times when the high stayed below freezing for 2 or more days in a row.
Go ahead and make any cold weather preparations by this evening, including wrapping outdoor faucets or turning off water supply to them and draining them, checking antifreeze in cars, and draining all garden hoses. Any water outside smaller than a lake will freeze. Also, go ahead and check on any elderly or disabled people you know who may need some help preparing for the cold weather.
If you work outdoors, be sure to wear plenty of layers. 2 pairs of socks, extra T-shirts, gloves, and a hat are great.
PETS:
Once the cold air sets in Thursday and Friday, make sure to provide adequate shelter for pets also. Most dogs and cats around here, even if they are large, are not prepared for this kind of cold. Bring them indoors or into the basement if at all possible starting Wednesday night, even if you have to put them in a big box in the kitchen. If you absolutely have to leave the pets outside: 1. Make sure they have a supply of unfrozen drinking water (check it every 12 hours), 2. make sure their doghouse door faces south, 3. add a curtain or something over the door (test it to be sure they’ll go through it), 4. put extra blankets, towels, hay, etc. in their dog house, 5. put a sweater or sweatshirt on them if possible; even if you just have to cut holes in an old one of yours, it helps. However, bringing them in is still the best alternative.
HOUSE:
Put towels or something around drafty windows or doors. Consider closing off unused rooms and closing the vent 3/4 of the way. During the day, open the blinds/curtains on any south-facing windows. Be very careful with any space heaters…house fires seem to increase during cold weather. Also, try to get a carbon monoxide detector, and test the smoke detector. In houses without basements, leave faucets dripping (just make sure the sink isn’t stopped up).
