CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Coldest air since Christmas Eve 2022
A cold front swoops in dry air for the weekend but it also brings colder temperatures for both highs and lows. Both Saturday and Sunday mornings will be in the teens and low 20s. The coldest low so far this January was earlier this week when Charlotte dropped to 18 degrees.
The mountains will have some lingering snow flurries Saturday through early Sunday morning. This weekend will be sunny, but the wind will be brutally cold, and the lows will bottom out at their lowest Sunday morning.
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Saturday afternoon will be the coldest afternoon over the next couple of weeks. The high temperature will only reach the low-mid 30s, but the winds will make it feel much colder. It will feel like the teens and low-mid 20s throughout the day.
It is very likely most areas will not make it above freezing, and even if they do, just for an hour or two. This means a serious threat to people, pipes, pets, and plants for the entire weekend.
This is what is technically classified as a "cold wave". A cold wave is defined as an average daily temperature 12 degrees or more below-average mid-January for a period of 48 hours or longer.
Cold Weather Tips and Precautions
The cold weather will result in high demand for electricity across the region. Power outages may result from the heavy electrical load. Those who require electricity for heating or medical equipment should consider backup heat or electrical sources.
Take steps now to protect your property and health from the extreme cold. If you go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf. If driving, keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Check your antifreeze and windshield washer fluid levels. Be sure to carry a fully-charged cell phone!
If you are home, consider allowing indoor plumbing fixtures to drip to allow water to trickle through pipes and inhibit freezing. Use caution with space heaters in order to avoid fire or injury. If emergency generators will be used, they must be situated outdoors in well-ventilated areas to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Also, remember to check in on family, friends, and elderly neighbors who might be susceptible to the cold. Do not forget about your pets and livestock. Make sure they have a source of water that will not freeze and a warm place to take shelter from the wind and cold.
Do not attempt to walk on frozen ponds, lakes, or streams, as the ice will not be thick enough to support the weight, even of a child.