This time Tuesday morning will not be a pleasant time to venture outside.
The big chill many have been anticipating all weekend should start to set in Monday night and get colder overnight. Temperatures could fall into the single digits (Weather.com has it at 7 degrees by Tuesday at 7 a.m.!) and 15-20 mile per hour winds will make it feel 5 degrees to 15 degrees below zero.
The National Weather Service has put a Wind Chill Advisory in effect from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Wear gloves and hats. Better yet, avoid going outside as much as possible:
…WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EST TUESDAY…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A WIND CHILL ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EST TUESDAY.
* WIND CHILL…5 BELOW TO 15 BELOW ZERO.
* TIMING…THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY. THE LOWEST WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
* TEMPERATURES…FALLING INTO THE TEENS THIS EVENING…THEN LOWS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS TONIGHT AND HIGHS 10 TO 15 ABOVE TUESDAY.
* WINDS…WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.
* IMPACTS…DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS COULD THEN LEAD TO FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA MONDAY EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue put out a series of tips to help folks guard against frozen pipes, while also advising to check in on elderly neighbors and friends:
1. Prepare your pipes in advance. Remove, drain and store garden hoses used outside. If practical, use an inside valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing pipes just inside your house.
2. Properly winterize automatic landscaping sprinkler systems.
3. Check and monitor any exposed pipes in unheated areas such as basements, garages, attics and crawlspaces.
4. As temperatures drop below freezing, protect indoor sink pipes located along exterior walls by opening under-sink cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate.
5. Consider keeping your thermostat at the same temperature during the day and at night. While temporarily suspending any pre-programmed energy-efficient settings could result in a slightly higher utility bill, it might prevent a costly repair bill if pipes freeze and break.
6. If your pipes break, seek the assistance of a professional plumber and never use a hair dryer or other appliance to thaw frozen pipes – you risk electrocution.
7. If you are going to be away during the cold weather, leave the heat on in your home and set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.
8. Mobile homes are typically more vulnerable to frozen pipes so take proper precautions.
9. Stay informed. Sign up for Alert Montgomery. For information, visit https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/register.php
