Chattanooga: Bitter freeze on the way

Today’s forecast, with a high of 47 and a low of 24, may bring snow flurries, but that’s nothing compared to what’s on the way.

Thursday’s low will be around 13, with a high that day of just 35 degrees. Snow flurries are also in the forecast Thursday.

Keep your scarves handy on Friday, too, when the high will be just 31 and the low will be around 11 degrees.

“We’re going to get a really cold blast,” said Brian Boyd, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn. “It’s not Arctic wind, but it’s definitely Canadian.”

The forecast isn’t calling for much rain, Mr. Boyd said, and that’s good news because freezing temperatures and rain make for slippery roads. Even still, Mr. Boyd said motorists should take caution.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation on Monday sprayed the roads of area traffic tunnels with salted brine water to prevent freezing, said Jennifer A. Flynn, TDOT region spokeswoman.

This weather also is perfect for frozen pipes. Just ask Kay Keefe, who dispatches calls for her husband at Michael Keefe Plumbing in South Chattanooga.

“It’s a busy time for us,” Mrs. Keefe said. “We don’t like to get this sort of business, but we’re ready for it.”

Burst pipes can cost several hundred dollars to fix, she said, but usually the damage is avoidable. She recommends letting a faucet drip inside, opening cabinets under sinks and closing the vents under the house to avoid a frozen pipe.

“If the wind blows over a pipe, there is chance it can freeze,” Mrs. Keefe said. “When the ices starts to thaw, the pipe bursts.”

This is also the sort of weather that calls for animals to come indoors during night-time hours. Of course, fragile plants should come inside as well.

For your pipes

* Pipes that are accessible can be fitted with foam or fiberglass insulation sleeves or wrapping.

* Keep kitchen and bath pipes exposed to warm air from your heating system by keeping cabinet doors open.

* If you have a crawlspace, make sure the outside air vents underneath the flooring are closed.

* If you return home and suspect a pipe is frozen, turn on all faucets. If a pipe already has burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and call a professional plumber.

SOURCE: Staff reports

For your pets

* Cats do not tolerate cold as well as dogs and often are injured by seeking warmth under cars and other dangerous places.

* Thoroughly wipe dogs’ legs and belly when coming in from outdoors in the cold.

* Just as in the summer, never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold.

SOURCE: www.petfinder.org

For people

* Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because infants lose body heat more easily than adults; and unlike adults, infants can’t make enough body heat by shivering.

* Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.

* Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice on performing other hard work in the cold.

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Records

This week’s weather will be cold, but it won’t break records. The average temperature for this time of year is 39 degrees.

Record High/Year Record Low/Year

Jan. 12 71 /1890 Minus 1/1918

Jan. 13 74/1960 2/1918

Jan. 14 75/1907 9/1893

Source: National Weather Service, Morristown