01/22/2026
Get prepared and stay safe!
Quick preparedness for Arctic outbreaks requires immediate action to protect yourself, your home, and your pets from life-threatening temperatures and wind chills.
Immediate Personal Safety:
• Layer Clothing Correctly: Wear three layers: a moisture-wicking base (polyester/wool), an insulating middle (fleece/down), and a windproof/waterproof outer shell. Avoid cotton, as it traps moisture and increases chill.
• Cover All Skin: Frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes in extreme 2026 conditions. Use a hat, scarf, face mask, and mittens (warmer than gloves).
Watch for Warning Signs:
• Frostbite: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, or a waxy texture.
• Hypothermia: Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and extreme fatigue. Seek medical attention if a person’s temperature drops below 95°F.
Protecting Your Home:
• Prevent Frozen Pipes: Let faucets drip at a "pencil-width" stream to keep water moving. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
• Seal Drafts: Place rolled towels at the base of doors and use weather-stripping or plastic film on drafty windows to retain heat.
• Heat Safely: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable materials. Never use a gas stove, oven, or charcoal grill to heat your home due to carbon monoxide risks.
Generator Safety: Only operate generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors.
Protecting Pets and Others:
• Bring Pets Indoors: Most pets are not equipped for sub-freezing temperatures. For those that must stay out, provide insulated shelter elevated off the ground with straw bedding (avoid blankets, which can freeze when wet).
• Check on Neighbors: Ensure elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbors have sufficient heat and supplies.
Vehicle & Travel Readiness:
• Fuel Up: Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent fuel lines from freezing and ensure you have heat if stranded.
• Emergency Kit: Carry blankets, a first-aid kit, a portable phone charger, water, high-calorie snacks, and sand or cat litter for traction.
Stay safe everyone!
***This post is no longer current***
Today may be the warmest day for the next several days with highs in the 30s to low 40s. The well advertised start of frigid air and snow chances begins Friday morning and lasts through the weekend.
