We can’t get a break from the cold

Temperatures were in the single digits this morning and the shivering isn’t over just yet.

The bone-chilling cold looks like it will last through Saturday, according to Paul Walker, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather.

Walker said that on Friday and Saturday, we’ll be lucky if temperatures get out of the single digits. Highs are expected to be in the low teens Friday, with even colder temperatures on Saturday, with highs around 10 and night- time temperatures down around the zero mark.

Frozen pipes

Due to the extreme cold, homeowners have been experiencing a spike in frozen pipes.

The weather conditions have resulted in extra business for Andreas Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning in Lehighton

Nathan Andreas, owner, said his business has been dealing primarily with furnaces or boilers breaking down, not to mention freezing pipes in crawlspaces or areas where piping is exposed to the elements.

“It’s been significantly higher,” Andreas said. “Incredible the change.”

Andreas said the outcome has been more hours for employees.

“We try to anticipate and be prepared for it,” he said. “It does create additional hours and workload.”

In situations like this, Andreas stressed that home maintenance is the key.

“If you know you have piping that is prone or possibly frozen, just checking it prior to the season would be one of the biggest things,” he said. “Just being as proactive as possible with whatever countermeasures you are taking.”

Andreas said that more than anything, the majority of breakdowns are due to a lack of maintenance.

“Make sure you’re on top of your system, making sure it is well-maintained,” he said.

Fuel delivery

Fuel companies are also making more deliveries to homes.

The cold weather has resulted in even more business than usual for R.F. Ohl, according to Ashley Mercado, sales and marketing.

Mercado said they usually encourage customers to call them when they are at 20 percent fuel.

“It’s best to call when they are at 30 percent,” Mercado said. “That way, we can make sure we can get to their deliveries on time.”

Mercado noted there is an extra charge for fuel delivery after hours, unless customers are getting serviced and have R.F. Ohl’s protection plan.

Effect on senior citizens

While the chilly temperatures are felt by everyone, they can especially have a dangerous effect on senior citizens, according to Susan Zeigler, administrator, Carbon County Area Agency on Aging in Palmerton.

“Usually what we tell them to do is to keep their cellphones close in case they are outside and they would fall,” Zeigler said. “At least they could call 911 or a neighbor.”

Zeigler said seniors should also limit their time outside.

“As you get older, you’re going to get colder faster,” she said. “We also usually tell them to layer, wear warm clothing, wool; you can always take off and put back on.”

Zeigler said seniors should also be very careful of their heating, have their chimney cleaned; and make sure they’re eating and drinking enough.

Also, Zeigler said there are five senior centers in the county where seniors can come out for a hot meal. They only ask for a donation of $2 if they can give.

“It’s a warm place to go, has activities,” she said.

Some relief on the way

Fortunately, Walker said some relief from the freezing cold could be on the way.

Walker said it looks like the high pressure, which has been responsible for the bitterly cold weather, is going to be moving off to the east, and we could be looking for the cold to break by Sunday, as temperatures are expected to be in the low 20s, and could get up the mid-30s by Monday.

Even that would just be up to near normal, said Walker, who noted the average high this time of year is 36, while the average low is 19, suggesting we are between 15-20 degrees below normal.

“It does look like there’s something to look forward to early next week, a break in this extreme cold,” Walker said.

However, Walker said it looks like there could be a storm early next week that could bring a mixture of snow and ice that could possibly end as rain.

“People just have to continue to dress in layers,” he said. “Especially those days when temperatures are only in the single digits or low teens.”