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By Special to the Advance

Nothing much has changed regarding the forecast for the artic cold air outbreak that is expected across the area this weekend, but officials’ confidence in the event is continuing to grow.

According to the National Weather Service, the arctic cold front is still expected to move across the area Thursday night into early Friday morning, bringing a sharply colder air mass to the area. Temperatures by Friday morning will be in the teens and 20s across much of the interior with upper 20s and low 30s near the coast. Strong northwest winds will make it feel much colder with wind chill values in the single digits across northern portions of the area, officials said.

High temperatures on Friday will likely stay near, or just below freezing for most areas northwest of Interstate 65 with wind chill values in the teens and 20s for most of the area. In fact, for many locations on Friday the currently forecasted high temperatures for the date (Dec. 23), will be among the top five coldest daytime max temperatures for that date ever.

The coldest temps across the area are expected Friday night, with lows ranging between 10 to 20 degrees north of Interstate 10 and low to mid 20s down to the coast, officials said. Wind chill values Friday night into Saturday morning will likely be in the single digits in areas away from the coast.

Similar overnight temperatures are again expected Saturday and Sunday nights, but slightly warmer by a few degrees each night.

Daytime highs will be moderating as well, with highs on Saturday mainly in the 30s with 40s along the coast and by Sunday nights warming into the mid-40s to lower 50s across the area. .

It is possible that once some areas north of Highway 84 drop below freezing Thursday night/Friday morning that temperatures may not rise back above freezing until Sunday afternoon. 

Widespread Hard Freeze Watches/Warnings and Wind Chill Advisories are likely to be issued later this week, officials said. In addition, Gale Watches and Warnings can be expected across the marine area as well.

Prepare accordingly and remember the four Ps for cold weather:

People – dress in layers for the cold if you need to be outside, check on others (especially the elderly) to ensure that they have a way to stay warm and have a safe way to produce heat.

Pets – be sure pets and other animals have a safe haven to stay warm.

Plants – move potted plants to a warm area, protect other plants from freezing and frost damage.

Pipes – be sure to protect pipes from freezing, this will be a holiday weekend and will be difficult to get repair supplies.