“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
French philosopher, author, dramatist, journalist and political activist Albert Camus was labeled an absurdist.
Even he would get a kick out of the weather north central Ohio is experiencing this month — especially in the next 48 hours.
It feels like today is January 77th, or something, doesn’t it?
As the month drags on, it’s reminiscent of what former WTAM radio afternoon drive host Mike Trivisonno once told his Cleveland producers when someone complained he wasn’t giving frequent enough weather reports during his show.
The enormously popular Triv let them know what he thought about their complaints with an on-air message.
“This is Cleveland!” he exclaimed. “It’s cold. It’s dark. It’s gonna snow. When that changes, I will let you know.”
Guess what, north central Ohio?
Triv was right.
The National Weather Service office in Triv’s beloved hometown has issued a cold weather advisory for an area that includes Richland, Ashland and Knox counties until Wednesday at 10 a.m. with wind chills as low as 24 degrees below zero expected.
Weather that cold could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.
Low air temperatures Monday night will drop to zero … and maybe a tick below with wind chills as low as -15. Southwest winds will gust as high as 21 miles per hour.
Warming centers open
The Warming Center at The Salvation Army will be open overnight Monday and Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to Rebecca Owens, Richland County EMA Director.
The local Salvation Army is located at 47 S. Main St.
A warming center is also open at the ARC Empowerment Center, 378 Park Ave. West during the same hours.
Tuesday will be just as meteorologically interesting.
There is a 30-percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 2 p.m., though new snow accumulation is expected to be half an inch, at most.
The high on Tuesday will top out around 5 degrees with wind chill values as low as 15 below due to west winds of 8 to 14 mph.
The deep freeze will continue Tuesday night as the air temperature low dips to 10 degrees below zero. Wind-child values will fall to around 23-below with southwest winds of 7 to 10 mph.
Things begin to warm up on Wednesday with a high of 14 and a low falling to just 9.
It will be partly sunny on Thursday with a high near 24 and a low around 12.
The good news is the area could climb out of the freezer by the weekend with a high near 32 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday.
National Weather Service cold weather advice:
Here is some advice for the next couple of days from the NWS:
— Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside.
— To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.
— Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter, food and unfrozen water.
— Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.
More advice from Ohio Edison:
Safety Tips:
— Heating appliances, such as space heaters and electric blankets, should never be left unattended or used while sleeping.
— Never fold an electric blanket while it is in use. This can damage wires inside of the blanket, causing it to overheat or spark.
— Only use space heaters designed for indoor use. Keep all heat sources at least three feet away from curtains, carpet or furniture that could catch on fire.
— Never use a gas stove, charcoal grill or lantern intended for outdoor use inside your home because it could lead to a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas.
— If operating a portable generator during a power outage, place it outside of your home and far away from windows, doors and vents. Never use a generator inside your home.
— Keep electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops and tablet computers, fully charged to be ready for an emergency.
— Have a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in case a power outage occurs.
— Contact the local emergency management agency for a list of warming centers and other cold-weather support.
Energy Saving Tips:
— Dress for the weather. Wearing an extra layer or wrapping up in a blanket while you’re relaxing can help you feel more comfortable without turning up the thermostat.
— Rotate ceiling fans clockwise at a low speed to force warm air near the ceiling down. This can make your space feel warmer without adjusting your home’s temperature.
— Close the fireplace damper when it’s not in use to keep cold air out.
— Close the drapes at night. During the day, only open those that receive direct sunlight.
— Turn off lights when you aren’t using them. Change furnace filters regularly to ensure your heating system is working efficiently.
— Keep registers for supply or return air free of obstructions like curtains or furniture.
— Seal any leaks with caulk or weather stripping to prevent cold air from sneaking into your home.
— Wrap exposed pipes in insulation or layers of newspaper. Avoid frozen pipes by opening faucets and maintaining a constant drip.
— Keep the overhead door of an attached garage closed to block cold winds from infiltrating the connecting door between the house and garage.
Other FirstEnergy energy conservation tips are available at firstenergycorp.com/saveenergy.