Winter weather, warming centers and shelter

With the new year, comes familiar forms of weather and fortunately, according to National Weather Service Forecaster Colby Pope, the winter precipitation slated for the weekend may have less of a bite than initially anticipated.

“As big changes start to come in on Saturday night, we’ll start to see in the form of rain showers Saturday into Sunday, what we’re looking at Sunday eveninginto Sunday night, a changeover to rain/snow mix. Given the latest guidance, we’re seeing more rain and snow, we could see some light freezing rain or sleet, but things have trended warmer than expected,” Pope said.

Although the region may dodge a bullet as far as icy roads and power outages go, Pope said deadly cold will move in beginning Monday morning.

“Something I’m more concerned about then this wintry weather mix, is going into the work week next week. We will start to see brutal cold settling in, really colder and dryer air masses behind this arctic front. We’ll see temperatures near freezing for the high on Monday through Thursday, but the overnight temperatures will be in the lower teens and with the windchill, it will be in the single digits,” Pope said. We’re starting to get past the period with the holidays, and the kids will be going back to school. If you’re working in this or going to be outside, it is going to be very dangerous conditions. It is these transition periods that I’m concerned about. This will not be the coldest weather we see all season.”

The Ash Flat Community Center will be open Jan. 6 through Jan. 10 around the clock. The Johnson Street Center in Hardy, formerly known as the Hardy Senior Center, will also be open beginning Jan. 2 with the closure date to be determined. The warming centers’ intended use is for those seeking shelter from the cold to go and warm themselves in intervals. Snacks and bottled water will be provided at both shelter locations.