Local residents will experience an early test from Old Man Winter to round out this week.
Temperatures on Thursday are not expected to rise above 40 degrees and overnight temperatures heading into Friday are projected to drop into the teens – even with Winter not officially beginning until next Wednesday.
Chapel Hill town officials are encouraging residents to not leave children, elderly or pets in cars alone. If someone is experiencing signs of hypothermia, residents should call 911 and try to get that individual indoors.
The cold weather can also lead to an increase in risks of fires. Residents are advised to turn portable alternative heaters off when you leave the room and to not use the kitchen oven range as a heating source.
Generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices should never be brought into a home as a heating source due to increase fire prevention efforts.
Residents should also bring pets inside, if possible, or to make sure they have adequate shelter with insulation and padding for warmth.
Homeowners are also encouraged to take precautions with water pipes that have frozen in the past.
While the forecasted low heading into Friday is 17 degrees, the record low for December 15 in Chapel Hill is nine degrees in 1962, according to the town. Temperatures may not go over freezing on Friday. Temperatures are expected to reach the 60s.
You can get more information from the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County.
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