As temperatures are set to plunge amid a life-threatening arctic blast, Gov. Ned Lamont announced he is activating the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol to ensure people can seek shelter from the bitter cold.
The Severe Cold Weather Protocol will begin at 5 p.m. on Monday and remain in effect until noon on Wednesday, due to a blast of arctic air that will impact the state and make conditions dangerous for prolonged exposure.
Officials said the purpose of the state’s severe cold weather protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the cold, which could be life-threatening if they are exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter, including transportation to shelters.
Temperatures are expected to dip 10 to 15 degrees below normal for this time of year, particularly on Tuesday, when the high temperatures during the day are forecast to range between 15 to 25 degrees and at night will be in the single digits, according to state officials. Additionally, the state is expected to see wind gusts between 25 to 35 miles per hour beginning on Monday night and continuing through Tuesday, which may bring wind chill values down into the negative single digits at times.
On Monday, temperatures are predicted to reach a high of 33 degrees and a low of 20 degrees, with 20 mph wind gusts. The bitter cold begins to set in on Monday evening as temperatures plunge into the teens. Tuesday will see a high of 22 degrees and a low of 11 degrees in the evening, with gusty winds that will make temperatures feel like single digits across most of the state. The freezing cold temperatures are excepted to continue into Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, the state will see some warming, with a high of 38 degrees, according to AccuWeather’s seven day forecast.
According to AccuWeather, around two inches of snow will fall on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. in Hartford, Tolland, and Windham Counties. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, the forecast for the rest of the week is mostly sunny and dry.
“This is turning out to be a particularly cold winter in Connecticut as temperatures are again expected to dip below normal for the next couple of days,” Lamont said. “Enacting this protocol enables the state to partner with municipalities and nonprofits to see that shelters and warming centers are available statewide. I also want to remind everyone that it is extremely dangerous to leave pets outdoors during temperatures this cold, and they can suffer frostbite and hypothermia just like the rest of us, which is why it is important to protect your pets from this harsh weather.”
During the Severe Cold Weather Protocol, the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Connecticut Department of Housing, and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.
Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]