Studer Community Institute

By any other name, it’s going to get cold

November 12, 2014
/ Ron Stallcup
/ community-dashboard

It used to be called an, “Arctic Air Mass,” now we call it a, “Polar Vortex,” even if it is or not. It still means one thing, it’s going to get cold — real cold. According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, the above normal warmth will come to an abrupt end Wednesday as a cold front starts to move through the area. Much colder air will move into the area with temps well below normal Thursday through Saturday. Temps will moderate late in the weekend in advance of the next frontal system which will bring rain chances back into the area Saturday night through early Monday. Then it’s back to the cold. The first day of Winter is more than a month away. The present forecast, shows that low temperatures will not drop below freezing in the southern portions of the area. Temperatures will fall below freezing in the northern portions of the county for a couple hours on Friday morning. Here are some tips from Gulf Power http://www.gulfpower.com/residential/earthcents/energy-saving-tips.cshtml

— Use an electric blanket at night. An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
— Keep cold wind outside by closing garage doors.
— If you use portable electric heaters, use them only in small areas. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled.
— Leave draperies open on sunny days so your house will absorb the sun's heat. Close them on the shaded side of the house and at night.

Here are some tips from Escambia County Emergency Management http://myescambia.com/beready/extreme-cold

Pets — Do not leave pets out in the cold. Bring all pets indoors and make sure they have a warm blanket to lie on, as well as plenty of food and water. Bring into a garage, taking care to make sure toxins, such as antifreeze and bleach, are out of their reach.
Plants — Water your plants thoroughly. The water will act as an insulator. Dry plants are more susceptible to freezing. After watering, cover plants with a breathable material, such as fabric not plastic. Place mulch at the base of your plants and do not prune prior to a freeze. Pruning encourages soft growth, which is susceptible to freezing. Spraying the leaves of plants with liquid seaweed will also toughen them against cold.
Fire Safety — Make sure that all-combustible materials such as drapes or chairs are at least three feet away from any heating unit. — Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended. — Most importantly, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.
Pipes (from Emerald Coast Utilities Authority)
— Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in areas of your house such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials that may be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
— Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.

— Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing.

— Remember the backflow preventer: If you have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well.

Back to Blogs

By any other name, it’s going to get cold

Recent Posts