Tips for preparing your house, vehicle for extreme weather

     (AP Photo: John Hart)

    (AP Photo: John Hart)

    Near record cold temperatures are on tap for Sunday morning as the chilliest air of the season arrives, forecasters say. 

    After cold conditions today, the well-advertised Arctic blast begins tomorrow and peaks Sunday before ending with high temperatures near 40 on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. 

    Highs will struggle to reach the lower 20s tomorrow, and Sunday will be even colder, with daytime temperatures only in the teens. Factoring in the wind chill, it will feel sub-zero all weekend, with the most extreme condition Saturday night into Sunday morning.

    Forecasters are concerned about the possibility of power outages due to northwest winds sustained at 20 to 30 miles per hour, gusting up to 55 miles per hour tomorrow afternoon.

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    The National Weather Service offers the following tips for dealing with the frigid conditions:

    Minimize travel if possible.
    Keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle if you must travel.
    Check the tire pressure and antifreeze levels in your vehicle.
    Check your battery so you don’t get stranded.
    Insulate those pipes, at your residence, susceptible to cold and freezing.
    Learn or refresh your memory on how to shut off water valves in case pipes do burst.
    With strong winds expected, power outages are possible. Follow instructions carefully when it comes to secondary heat sources to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
    Bring pets in.
    Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
    Wear a hat, because 40% of your body heat can be lost from your head.
    Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
    Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
    Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
    Check on the elderly. 

    For more information on how to deal with extreme cold, click here

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