Weather forecasters already are sounding the alarm over a blast of Arctic air that is expected to arrive in Marion County in time for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The anticipated cold wave that will arrive Sunday and sticks around at least through Wednesday, and will have the coldest temperatures so far this winter and among the chilliest in recent memory.
The National Weather Service’s Pittsburgh Office issued a hazardous weather outlook Thursday.
“There is high confidence in much below normal temperatures next week, with the coldest period most likely between Monday and Wednesday,” the weather service warned. “Extreme cold will stress local infrastructure and prolonged exposure to the cold could be dangerous.”
The National Weather Service says Saturday’s high near 35 will seem balmy as temperatures drop below zero degrees by Monday morning.
National Weather Service says a potentially dangerous Cold Wave is expected in the Wayne, Holmes area on MLK Day.
It will be a chilly Martin Luther King Jr. Day with an anticipated high of just 2 degrees in Marion County. The low in the evening is -6.
And things get stay status quo for the next couple of days. The deep chill is expected to continue Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with sub-zero temperatures again expected.
Tuesday will be sunny with a high of 3 degrees. It will go down to -11 in the evening.
Wednesday is a predicted high of 12; 6 degrees Wednesday night.
The temperature rises to 24 on Thursday, for the week’s high.
The only good news is no snow is expected to start the week.
What should I do to prepare for the cold wave?
The weather service says residents should prepare now for the extreme cold.
If you must go outside during the cold wave, the weather service says residents should dress in layers and cover any exposed skin.
Outdoor pets should be brought inside because of the predicted cold temperatures.
Food and water bowls left outside should be checked frequently as they likely will freeze over.
Minimum wind chill temperatures forecasted for Jan. 21, 2025.
The weather service also suggests making sure pipes are insulated and residents should open cabinet doors to sinks so water pipes are exposed to the home’s heat.
With the extreme cold, the weather service warns power outages are also possible.
Will school be canceled because of the cold?
There’s no magic formula and consistent policy among Ohio school districts when it comes to when school is canceled because of the weather.
The factors range from the weather conditions to the number of students in a particular district who have to walk to school.
When it comes to the cold, things get a bit tricky.
Most districts take their cues from the National Weather Service, which issues everything from advisories to warnings when temperatures plummet to dangerous conditions.
School officials also consider the so-called real-feel temperature − what the temperature is like on exposed skin.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Weather service: Dangerous cold snap heading toward Marion County-ohio