Bundle up
Frigid conditions expected in coming days
After a couple of days in the teens or single digits, today’s high of near 40 may feel like a heatwave. But don’t put away the heavy coat just yet.
“It’s not getting warm,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Liana Lupo. “Our highs are going to range between mid-teens and low 20s from Saturday through the end of next week.”
Snow is likely to come our way, too. Right now, the area is looking at about 3 inches with a 25% chance of getting more, Lupo said.
With cold and snow on the way, Washington County Public Safety Director Gerry Coleman suggested folks check on their older neighbors to make sure they’re ok.
“Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re inside staying warm. They may need some help,” he said.
Warming centers are also set up throughout the region. The Washington Salvation Army is offering a warming center from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Lt. Thomas Perez said a decision will be made on the rest of the week depending on the temperatures.
Diana Irey Vaughan, president/CEO of City Mission in Washington, said the facility at 84 W. Wheeling St. is open for people to come in out of the cold, get necessary warm clothing and have a meal. Irey Vaughan said several people have stopped by the City Mission’s Samaritan Care and received coats to help ward off the cold.
Similar arrangements are available at City Mission-Living Stones in Uniontown.
Debbie Doppelhauer, director of operations, said both of the mission’s shelters are full but arrangements will be made to help those in need get to a warm place
“People regularly call us, and we do refer them to other shelters that we know of that might have openings,” she said. “We’re running a waiting list to get into the shelter, but our goal is always to assist (people in need) in whatever way we can. We are the only shelter locally, but we might transport to Westmoreland County or Washington County just to keep someone out of the cold.”
Some fire departments are being offered as warming centers such as Bentleyville, Cecil Township and Charleroi. Area senior centers are available as well, including the Canonsburg Senior Center at 30 E. Pike St.
The Super 8 by Wyndham, 701 West Main St., in South Union Township, is offering free heated rooms to families who have no working furnace or heating at their home.
Shreek Patel, owner/operator of the hotel, said the offer is for South Union Township residents only and a valid local ID is required. The offer is available for about a week.
Patel said as of Tuesday morning about five or six people had taken advantage of the offer.
Frigid cold can also lead to troubles in the home, such as frozen pipes.
“Make sure you have heat in the area where you have water pipes,” said Henry Klinar, general manager of McKean Heating and Plumbing. “We see a lot of times where they’re on an exterior wall or in a vanity on a wall where it’s poorly insulated. Sometimes just opening up a door allows heat to that area and that will suffice.”
Letting water trickle in the sink during cold nights is another tip, said Klinar.
It looks like the biggest tip of all may be to just stay inside.
“If you’re going to go out, make sure you bundle up, wear clothes, cover exposed skin,” Lupo said. “It’s just going to be cold.”