An extreme cold warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Friday at 10:53 a.m. valid from Saturday noon until Sunday noon for Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties.
The weather service describes, “Dangerously cold wind chills below 5 degrees are expected.”
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst,” describes the weather service. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.”
Understanding cold weather alerts
Extreme cold warning: Take Action! An extreme cold warning is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are expected or occurring. If you are in an area with an extreme cold warning, avoid going outside. If you have to go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination…