An arctic cold air front will cause a record drop in temperatures for the Christmas weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a wind chill warning due to breezes for DC, Maryland and northern Virginia.
According to Telemundo 44 meteorologist Joseph Martínez, the cold will begin to be felt on Friday followingnoon following the departure of a storm that will drop rain in the region on Thursday and Friday. Gusts up to 50 miles per hour might be experienced.
“Friday at noon it will feel in the 40s but in the followingnoon the cold air begins to enter. At 7 pm there may be counties that feel temperatures below freezing,” he emphasized.
The thermometer will remain between 16 and 26 degrees on Saturday, Christmas Eve, while on Christmas Day, temperatures will fluctuate between 19 and 29 degrees.
However, on Saturday morning, the wind chill at the DMV will be below zero, so the authorities urge citizens to bundle up well and be aware of alerts.
“This might be the coldest Christmas since 1989,” Martínez anticipated.
THE PREPARATIONS BEGIN
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced that will be monitoring the wind speed at major river crossings in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula through December 24 morning.
In a press release, the agency added that they will close some bridges “if sustained winds reach 45 mph over a 15-minute period.”
Look here the list of bridges.
In addition, VDOT said emergency operations crews will be mobilized at midnight Friday along Interstate 95 and throughout the Fredericksburg area to monitor road conditions.
Authorities urge drivers to call 1-800-367-7623 if they encounter any danger on Virginia roads. The line is available 24/7. You can also access this link for more information.
On the other hand, the governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, remains vigilant in the west of the state. In written statements, he urged motorists to remain vigilant, allow room for crews and keep a safe distance from snowplow trucks.
For its part, the DC government also began its preparations. Mayor Muriel Bowser activated a hypothermia alert while announcing the opening of several shelters around the capital that residents and homeless people can reach.
Shelters for women:
- Adams Place Day Center en 2210 Adams Place NE
- Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) en 425 2nd Street NW
- Sherwood Recreation Center en 640 10th Street NE
- Harriet Tubman Shelter en 1900 Massachusetts Avenue SE #27
- St. Josephine Bahkita en 6010 Georgia Avenue NW
- Patricia Handy Place for Women en 1009 11th Street NW
Shelter for men:
- Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) en 425 2nd Street NW
- Church of Epiphany en 1317 G Street NW
- Salvation Army en 3335 Sherman Avenue NW
- 801 East Shelter en 2722 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE
- Adams Place Shelter en 2210 Adams Place NE
- New York Avenue Shelter at 1355-57 New York Avenue NE
- Patricia Handy Legacy en 810 5th Street NW
- Trinidad Recreation Center en 1310 Childress Street SE
Shelter for members of the LGBTQ+ community
- Living Life Alternative en 400 50th Street SE
If you or a neighbor needs transportation, you can call 202-399-7093.
RISK OF HYPOTHERMIA
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposures at very cold temperatures” which affects the brain and causes lack of mobility.
The symptoms are:
- Tiritar
- Feeling exhausted or very tired
- Confusion
- clumsiness with the hands
- Loss of memory
- Slurred or slurred speech
- Drowsiness
For this reason, the authorities recommend wearing hats, scarves, covering the face and mouth, wearing several layers of clothing, using waterproof gloves, coats, and boots.
You are also encouraged to cover your nose, ears, feet, cheeks, chin, and fingers when going outside.
On the other hand, it is urged to take the following measures within the home:
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,
- Move heaters away from flammable elements,
- Avoid using extensions to connect them,
- Turn off the heating if you are going to leave the house.
Stay tuned to The Weather Authority for updated forecasts.
