The coldest air of the season is set to arrive in the Coastal Bend Sunday night.
The National Weather Service of Corpus Christi reported a strong cold front will move through the area, bringing a 5% to 15% chance of freezing temperatures in the Corpus Christi area.
The extent of how low temperatures will get in South Texas remains uncertain, the weather service said, “as the brunt of the coldest air will stay off to our northeast.”
A forecast from the National Weather Service of Corpus Christi reports an overlap of cold air and precipitation, raising concerns regarding wintry weather.
Mist surrounds the USS Lexington ahead of weekend winter weather, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021.
How will the forecast be for the week?
The “ingredients” for wintry precipitation are possible, with a window from Wednesday morning to the morning of Friday, Jan. 10, but probabilities are low as of Friday.
The cold weather will start off with a low around 38 degrees Sunday evening, with gusts as high as 26 miles per hour.
Monday will have a high near 54 and a low around 33.
On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be a 20% to 30% chance of showers with temperatures in the high 30s and 40s.
Temperatures will rise to around 65 degrees starting Sunday, Jan. 12.
How to prepare for possible wintry weather
Make sure you are stocked up on:
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Flashlights and extra batteries
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Nonperishable food, such as dried fruit, nuts, granola bars and other food not requiring cooking or refrigeration
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Baby items, including diapers and formula
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An emergency heat source, such as a fireplace, wood stove or space heater that is properly ventilated to prevent a fire
How do wind chill temperatures affect my body?
As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, which then drives down skin temperature and, eventually, internal body temperature.
Wind chill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when they’re outside. Therefore, the wind makes it feel much colder than it might be.
For example, if the temperature is zero degrees and the wind is blowing at 15 miles per hour, the wind chill is -19 degrees. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.
Should I warm up my car before driving?
Many think allowing their engine to run for a few minutes before driving improves performance. This is a common myth, the American Automobile Association said.
AAA said drivers should start their engine and allow it to idle only for the time it takes one to fasten their seatbelt. That will ensure the lubricating oil to get to all of the engine’s vital parts.
Be sure to drive the car normally and avoid hard acceleration to bring the engine to a warmer temperature faster.
What do I do if my power goes out?
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates Texas’ electrical grid, said on its website that it “anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet customer demand this winter.”
If your power goes out at your home, and it looks like just your dwelling was affected, check your breakers for a possible blown fuse or tripped circuit. If you are still without power, report the outage online at aeptexas.com/outages or by calling 866-223-8508.
A broken water pipe creates iced over plants along Staples Street near Doddridge Street as temperatures dip below freezing on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021.
If you have a medical emergency or your life is at risk, do not wait for the power to come back on. Call 911 immediately for assistance.
Do not open your refrigerator or freezer to ensure your food remains cold.
Layer up on your clothing to retain your body heat and get under blankets. Use the darkest blankets to hang over windows to draw more heat from sunlight.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Bluesky @johnpoliva.bsky.social.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here’s when a strong cold front will hit Corpus Christi
