Ready Rowan

Due to the extreme cold temperatures that will be facing Rowan County the remainder of this week, the American Red Cross will open a warming station at the Hanford Dole Chapter located at 1930 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. in Salisbury beginning tonight at 6 p.m.

Citizens of Rowan County that are affected by the extreme cold temperatures or any widespread power outages that may occur can come to the warming station that will serve as a place for folks to get warm. Red Cross volunteers will also provide warm beverages and snacks as needed. The need of the community will determine the duration of the warming station through the remainder of the week.

For questions concerning the warming station please contact the American Red Cross at 704-633-3854 x. 107.

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 7 PM THIS EVENING.  A WIND CHILL ADVISORY WILL BE EFFECTIVE AT 7  PM THROUGH 10 AM FRIDAY, 2/19.

* LOCATIONS…PIEDMONT REGION INCLUDING ROWAN COUNTY.

* HAZARDS…LIGHT SNOW AND STRONG WINDS…ALONG WITH BITTERLY COLD WIND CHILL VALUES.

* TIMING…LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS UNTIL AROUND 6 PM AND STRONG WIND GUSTS THIS AFTERNOON. LOW WIND CHILL INDEX VALUES TONIGHT.

* ACCUMULATIONS…SNOW ACCUMULATION OF UP TO 1 INCH.

* WINDS…NORTHWEST 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH THIS AFTERNOON.

* WIND CHILL VALUES…TO APPROXIMATELY 5 BELOW ZERO DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURES TO AROUND 6 DEGREES…AND WINDS NORTHWEST 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* IMPACTS…LIGHT SNOW AND OCCASIONAL STRONG WIND GUSTS THIS AFTERNOON COULD LEAD TO ISOLATED SLICK ROADS AND DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES. VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.

* TEMPERATURES…LOW OF AROUND 6 DEGREES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW-COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.  IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS…MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES.