The National Weather Service on Thursday issued a Special Statement, cautioning residents of southern Connecticut, as well as areas of New York and New Jersey, of the impending weather. The statement was echoed within hours by local and state officials, who all essentially said the same thing: It's going to be a very cold weekend, and everyone should take measures to be safe.

"Temperatures Saturday night into early Sunday morning will fall close to … zero to 5 below across Long Island, interior northeast New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley and southern Connecticut. Wind chill values during this time could reach life threatening levels as cold as 20 to 25 below zero," according to the statement.

"High temperatures on Sunday will only be in the teens," the statement continued.

On Friday morning the weather service upgraded a Wind Chill Watch to a Wind Chill Warning, to be in effect from 4 pm Saturday until noon Sunday. "Dangerous to potentially life threatening wind chills" are probably, the warning said, with the coldest wind chills expected to be "late Saturday night into early Sunday morning."

"The frigid conditions will be extremely dangerous to those venturing outside," the warning continued. Prolonged exposure will cause frostbite."

Hypothermia is also a risk, the statement added.

A Wind Chill Warning means the combination of very cold air and strong winds will create dangerously low wind chill values, the weather service explained. The combination will result in health issues, and possibly fatalities, if not prepared for.

Temperatures in Newtown on February 11 were chilly all day. Steady winds lowered the wind chill. Readings among 12 Wunderground weather stations in Newtown and Sandy Hook at 5:48 pm Thursday averaged 17.5 degrees. The highest temperature registered at that time was 21.1 degrees on Oak Ridge Drive, while the coldest was 16.2 degrees in the Poverty Hollow Road area.

Wind chill temperatures at that time ranged from 3 to 21 degrees.

The National Weather Service says Newtown can expect February 12 to be increasingly cloudy, "with a high near 24. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Southwest winds of 5 to 8 mph."

Friday night shows "a slight chance of snow showers" (20 percent, according to the weather service), cloudy with a low around 11, and wind chill values between 0 and 5 degrees. Southwest winds of 5-7 mph are also predicted.

Saturday, February 13 will also carry a slight chance of showers and while temperatures may reach a high of 12 degrees, "wind chill values between -10 and zero" are possible, according to NWS. Northwest winds of 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph heading into the evening hours, could bring the coldest part of the weekend.

Saturday's overnight will be "mostly clear, with a low around -5," according to the weather service. Northwest winds will be around 16 mph, but gusts were not expected as of Thursday evening.

 

State Severe Weather Protocol

Because of this - and similar forecasts across the state - Governor Malloy has activated the state's Severe Cold Weather Protocol. The protocol went into effect at 4 pm on Thursday, February 11, and it will remain in effect through 10 am Monday, February 15.

While activated, the protocol directs the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the Department of Housing (DOH) to coordinate with 211 and Connecticut's network of shelters to ensure that the state's most vulnerable populations are protected from the severe cold weather.

"The next few days will certainly be the coldest we have seen so far this winter season, and could be among the coldest nights in terms of wind chill that our state has experienced in several years," Gov Malloy said Thursday. "Those in need of shelter or a warming center should call 211 to find available locations, which are open throughout the state."

In addition, Newtown First Selectman and the town's Emergency Management Office on Friday morning urged all residents to be prepared for the weekend.

The town officials "ask that every resident make appropriate preparations to ensure personal safety and readiness," they said via a press release issued just before 9:30. "Also, make appropriate provisions to protect your pets."

They also ask that residents take care of each other.

"Please check on any elderly or frail neighbors to be certain they are doing OK in this weather," the statement added.

Newtown residents have regularly been urged to use C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street; Newtown Senior Center, at 14 Riverside Road; and Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, as warming centers when needed.

The library is open Friday from 11 am until 5 pm; Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm; Sunday from noon to 5 pm; and Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 8 pm.

Newtown's senior center and its municipal center are open weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm. There is a meeting scheduled at the municipal center on Saturday, February 13, however, so the building will be open for a short time by noon.

In addition, town officials on February 12 urged residents to keep Edmond Town Hall in mind. The historic building, they point out, "has several movies and activities this weekend." Check The Bee's calendar listings for details for this week's film screenings and special events.

The town officials also offered the following phone numbers and contact information:

*First Selectman's Office, 203-270-4201; Emergency Management/Fire Marshal's Office, 203-270-4370; and the Health District Office, 203-270-4291;

*For a life safety emergency, call 911;

*For a power outage call 800-286-2000 (Eversource);

*To register for CodeRED, the town's free computerized system that rapidly makes automated telephone calls to residents, providing them with recorded messages in times of emergency, visit  (the registration link is in the lower left banner) or call 203-270-4370 for assistance;newtown-ct.gov

newtown-ct.gov

*Check the News & Announcements posts on the town website (center box, just about the calendar); and

*Utilize the state's free information and referral service by calling 211 or visiting 211ct.org.

 

Staying Safe

The American Red Cross is offering tips to help people stay safe during this hazardous weather.

*Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will prevent losing body heat.

*Know the signs of hypothermia: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.

*Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.

*Bring pets indoors. If that's not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.

*Avoid frozen pipes. Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.

(The National Weather Service also advises leaving cabinet doors open to prevent pipes from freezing. In addition, should pipes freeze, it is a dangerous practice to use an open flame to melt frozen pipes.

*Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.

"Many house fires result from" the practice of using an open flame on frozen pipes or using a stove or oven to heat a home, the National Weather Service said February 11.

*Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.

*If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

*Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving a room or going to bed.

*Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, make sure you have a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle which includes: shovel, blanket, flashlight, water, snacks, first aid kit, and extra batteries. Keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.

NWS also suggests checking each vehicle's tire pressure and battery.

This story has been updated to include comments and information from Town of Newtown officials. It also includes the update from the National Weather Service for a February 13-14 Wind Chill Warning.