Hard freeze in effect, low of 10 expected Tuesday morning

Published 1:24 pm Monday, January 6, 2014

The Birmingham National Weather Service is forecasting a low of 10 F Tuesday morning in Demopolis.

The Birmingham National Weather Service is forecasting a low of 10 F Tuesday morning in Demopolis.

Dangerously cold temperatures will continue through Tuesday.

The mercury is expected to go as low as 10 F Tuesday morning and not get above freezing again until Wednesday afternoon.

The weather is the coldest in at least 10 years. The lowest temperature recorded in Demopolis in all of 2013 was 25 F on Christmas Day.

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Several records are in danger of being broken during the cold snap. The coldest lows for Jan. 7 are 11 F in Birmingham and 15 F in Montgomery, both set in 1970.

The last time Birmingham was below 10 degrees was Jan. 24, 2003. For Montgomery, you would have to go back to Feb. 5, 1996, to find temperatures that cold.

The weather service offers the following advice on preparing for freezing temperatures.

•Make sure your home is well insulated.

•Keep some type of emergency heating equipment available so you can keep at least one room warm enough to be livable.

•Check your supply of heating fuel, but prevent fire hazards due to overheated coal or oil-burning stoves, fireplaces, heaters or furnaces.

•Stock an emergency supply of food/water.

•Keep water pipes from freezing by wrapping them in insulation. Also let faucets drip a little.

•Dress to fit the season. Wear loose, layered clothing.

•Move livestock to sheltered areas. For pets, bring them indoors or provide some form of heat. Provide them with fresh water as well.