'Enthusiastic' winter weather coming with temps dropping below zero

Jan. 10—Thursday, with highs approaching and maybe even topping 50 degrees, could be the last warm winter day for a while.

Two weather systems that could each bring snow and will be accompanied by some of the coldest temperatures in more than a year are in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service station in Springfield.

Angelica Soria, meteorologist with the National Weather Service station in Springfield, said area residents need to think of the four P's with the cold weather system — people, pets, pipes and plants.

Soria said rain will change over to a wintry mix for the Friday morning commute.

"That system Friday is going to be very similar to the system we experienced the last couple of days," she said, with a 58% chance of at least an inch of snow for the Joplin area, and a 40% chance of 2 inches or more.

The second system comes in a couple of days later.

"That system looks to be a little more enthusiastic," she said.

"Snow starts to come in Sunday morning, and it is going to linger through Monday morning or maybe even Monday afternoon."

There is a 50% chance of at least 1 inch of snow and a 40% chance of 2 inches or more.

As for the arrival of low temperatures, she said: "Friday is the day. ... That's when we are going to see temperatures drop throughout the day. It's going to continue to drop throughout the weekend."

The worst will be overnight Sunday and Monday, with temperatures below zero predicted, and possibly as low as minus 20 with wind chills; high temperatures Sunday and Monday will be in the single digits.

Temperatures in the region did not drop into the negative range in 2023, but did just before Christmas in 2022, when the low was minus 6. In February 2021, the area experienced minus 15 degrees — one of the coldest temperatures in decades, and cold enough that utilities experienced rolling blackouts and record-high natural gas prices.

Winter weather tips

The city of Joplin, the National Weather Service, the National Safety Council and other organizations remind people to:

—Keep up to date with the forecast through the National Weather Service station in Springfield at www.weather.gov/sgf. The Emergency Alert System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios also provide emergency alerts.

—Keep up to date on road conditions across the state, including whether major interstates and highways are closed, covered or clear. Go to traveler.modot.org/map. For the latest updates on road conditions locally, check the social media pages of the local police department or city government. The Joplin Police Department routinely notifies the public of the activation of emergency road conditions, during which police officers only respond to injury accidents, on its Facebook page.

—Winterize your vehicle by testing your battery and checking the tire pressure, both of which drop as the temperature drops. Keep your gas tank at least half-full to avoid gas line freeze.

—Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and nonperishable snacks.

—Wear snow boots, take short steps and use handrails for balance when possible to avoid falling.

—Don't use cruise control, and steer in the direction of a skid so that when your wheels regain traction, you don't have to overcorrect to stay in your lane. Accelerate and decelerate slowly, and increase your following distance to eight to 10 seconds. If possible, don't stop when going uphill.

—Have at least one of the following in case the power goes out: extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats; a fireplace that is up to code with plenty of dry firewood or a gas fireplace; or portable space heaters or kerosene heaters. Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and nonglowing elements. Keep them away from flammable materials such as curtains or blankets.

—Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. Every year, more than 400 people die and 50,000 are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur when carbon monoxide is released from space heaters. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often described as "flulike" — headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.

Other tips

—Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes rupture or break. Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously, and allow heated air to reach pipes by opening cabinet doors beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks. If your pipes freeze, thaw them slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer.

—Check on elderly relatives and neighbors. Older adults often generate less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity.

—Be careful shoveling snow. High levels of activity in cold temperatures put many people at risk of heart attack, especially those who have inactive lifestyles.

—Know the warning signs of hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. It's a dangerous condition that can happen when a person is exposed to extreme cold. In adults, warning signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. In babies, signs include bright-red, cold skin and low energy. If you notice any of these signs, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, seek medical attention immediately.

—Know the warning signs of frostbite, a type of injury caused by freezing. It can lead to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects, usually the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. Signs of frostbite include a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness. If you notice signs of frostbite, seek medical care.

—Bring pets and animals indoors. Some places, including the Joplin Humane Society, often offer straw for residents to provide extra warmth for pets that remain outdoors.

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