Hard Freeze Warning Issued Ahead of Arctic Blast Alabama Arrival
Sub-freezing temperatures are expected in Alabama soon which has prompted an upgrade to a Hard Freeze Warning. You are encouraged to stay weather aware and be prepared.
Protect People, Pets, and Pipes
The National Weather Service in Birmingham said to expect “temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees will be possible in southern portions of Central Alabama and 5 to 12 degrees will be possible in northern portions of Central Alabama.”
Hard Freeze Warning
Friday, December 23, at 12:00 a.m. until Sunday, December 25, 9:00 a.m.
The Hard Freeze Warning includes the following counties: Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.
Helpful Information from the National Weather Service
IMPACTS
A prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures may cause pipes to burst.
Bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills will result in hypothermia or frostbite and become life-threatening to those with prolonged exposure or without access to adequate warmth.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
Take steps to ensure people and animals have access to adequate warmth.
Ensure that space heaters or other alternative heating sources are at least three feet from anything flammable, are not left unattended, and have sufficient ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you are traveling make sure you have an emergency supply kit in your car.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
(Source) Click here for more information from the National Weather Service in Birmingham.