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WISCONSIN — As temperatures continue to plummet, it’s important to keep your pets warm, dry and safe.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals released these safety tips on its website ahead of the cold spell:
If left outside in the cold, pets can freeze, become disoriented, get lost, get hurt or even killed. Pets should be kept inside, where it’s warm and safe.
ASPCA also said pets should not be left in the car alone. In cold weather, cars can act like refrigerator, keeping cold air inside. This could freeze your pet, lead to health problems or kill them.
On walks, pets can step in ice, salt or other chemicals that could hurt their feet and paw pads. ASPCA recommended bringing a dry, clean towel on long walks if you need to clean off irritated paws.
”Don’t forget to check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes,” ASPCA said.
This helps protect them from salt and chemicals. Booties are another great option to protect paws outside.
(Pixabay)
Towel drying your pet as soon as they head inside will help keep their skin healthy, avoiding flakes or itchiness.
”Repeatedly going into the cold and then coming back to a warm home can cause this skin reaction in pets,” ASPCA said. “Again, paying close attention to their feet and in-between their toes will help prevent and treat skin irritation in the winter.”
A dog’s coat is like, well, a coat. The longer it is, the more warmth they’ll have.
If you have a long-haired dog, feel free to trim them down to avoid things getting caught in their fur or hair, such as ice balls, salt crystals or de-icing chemicals. Those can all dry out their skin.
If you have a short-haired pet, bundle them up in a coat, sweater or turtleneck.
Too many baths could get rid of oils in your pet’s skin, increasing the odds of their skin getting dry or flaky. During the winter, opt for moisturizing shampoo. Ask your vet if they have any recommendations.
(AP Photo)
Antifreeze can kill your pet.
”Additionally, cold weather chemicals like ice melts can be dangerous when ingested, so always be mindful and keep chemicals up and out of paws’ reach,” ASPCA said.
ASPCA said pets burn extra energy throughout the winter in order to stay warm. The extra calories and plenty of water are needed when it’s chilly.
Your pet should be sleeping off the floor and away from any drafts. Consider adding a blanket to their bed to keep them extra toasty.
(Christopher Miller)
Don’t let your dog off leash during a snowstorm, onto snow or on ice.
”Dogs can lose their scent in the snow and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure your dog always wears an ID tag,” ASPCA said.
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Aly Prouty
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A strong cold front has brought in much cooler air, with another reinforcing shot of cold air this weekend.
Low temperatures on Tuesday morning will fall to the mid-to-upper 30s for Tampa, but expect some areas near freezing in eastern Hillsborough and Polk counties.
A freeze warning is in effect for Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties, where lows in the mid-20s to near 30 are likely.
Wind chills near or even below 20 are possible north of Tampa, with 20s to low 30s wind chills possible elsewhere.
Wednesday morning will be a touch colder, so expect freezing temperatures north of Tampa once again.
Expect another cold morning with a freeze north on Thursday, but it will be slightly milder to start Friday.
Another strong cold front will come through during the day on Saturday.
This will bring a chance of showers during the day, then falling temperatures Saturday night.
Sunday morning could be the coldest of the winter, with temperatures near freezing in Tampa and possibly in the teens in Hernando and Citrus counties.
Beyond the weekend, there is no sign of the colder air letting up.
A big dip in the jet stream across the eastern United States will continue to drive cold fronts south.
Below-normal temperatures are expected through at least the first week of February.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
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Meteorologist Kyle Hanson
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OHIO — Arctic air has settled in across the Buckeye State but now our attention turns to a major winter storm that is approaching and will bring heavy snow to much of the state starting later today.
This winter storm will bring heavy snow at times, which will make for some very dangerous travel conditions. Since the air is so cold, the snow that falls will be very light and fluffy, which will accumulate quickly.
Impacts from the storm will first be felt late this afternoon into the early evening when snow first starts to fall in southern Ohio. The latest models show snow will likely start between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. for areas south and southwest of a line from Dayton to Chillicothe. As the evening progress, snow will continue to spread northward with areas like Columbus, Zanesville, Wheeling and Lima seeing snow after 7 p.m. We’re looking at a late night timeframe for snow starting in northern Ohio into the very early morning hours Sunday.
Snowfall rates could be heavy at times, with heavier snowfall expected by mid-morning Sunday.
We’ll continue to see snow accumulate through the remainder of the day Sunday. Snow will begin to taper off overnight into Monday as the system moves out of the region. By Monday mid-morning, most of the state will see drier conditions, but snow will still be possible across the northeast.
Even though most of the state will see drier conditions Monday, roads may still be snow covered leading to another day of treacherous travel.
Most of the state will see more than six inches of snow. Heavier amounts are possible, with a foot of snow expected in some areas. A heavier band of snowfall totals is setting up over an area extending from Cincinnati through Chillicothe to near Athens. Central Ohio and Northeast Ohio could see anywhere from 8-12″ of snow, with localized heavier amounts possible. Lesser amounts of snow will fall in Northwest Ohio, with 4-8″ expected in areas like Toledo and Sandusky.
Areas in Southeast Ohio where sleet or ice may be an issue could see lesser amounts.
Once the snow is done, it’s expected to hang around for a while because temperatures will continue to be cold. One of the coldest mornings will be Tuesday, with wind chills in many areas falling to -20 degrees.
Check back for updates throughout the weekend as the winter storm affects Ohio and much of the country.
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Meteorologist April Loveland
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OHIO — With a potentially major snowstorm on the way with frigid temperatures this weekend, Spectrum News 1 Ohio compiled a list of stories containing tips for getting through the frigid weather — everything from how to prevent freezing pipes, to taking car of your car and even your pets.
Take a look:
(File Photo)
1. Doctor shares tips to avoid frosbite
Many Ohioans sent their kids off to school in yet another morning of below-freezing temperatures.
2. How to keep pets safe in cold spells
As temperatures continue to plummet, it’s important to keep your pets warm, dry and safe. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals released these safety tips on its website ahead of the cold spell.
3. Ways to protect your car in the cold
In general, winter can be tough on vehicles, but when temperatures are below freezing, it could make the impact worse.
4. How unsafe heating practices can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning
The Ohio Department of Health warns residents that while staying warm is important, heating yourself and your home safely can save your life.
5. How to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting in cold temps
With repeat periods of below-freezing weather, it’s possible for pipes to freeze.The City of Toledo and AAA has these tips to help prevent it from happening to avoid unnecessary expenses and repairs, as well as to help keep the water running.
Josh Hart sets a drip for each faucet to prevent freezing pipes. (Spectrum News 1/Nikelle Delgado)
6. ODNR reminds Ohioans to prioritize ice, water safety this winter
As cold weather moves into the state for the season, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is reminding residents to prioritize water safety.
7. How to handle the extreme cold
The Ohio Department of Health said while you don’t need to lock yourself away for the next few months, there are important things to remember when venturing out into the cold.
8. Attic insulation may be the key to staying warm in single-digit temperatures
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates nine out of 10 homes are under-insulated
Homeowners could save an average of 15% on energy utility costs by sealing their home and installing attic insulations
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Spectrum News Staff
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A major winter storm is set to bring heavy snowfall, dangerous ice and frigid cold from Texas to the East Coast this weekend.
There is still a lot of uncertainty in the forecast location and timing, but it’s becoming increasing likely that a widespread winter storm will develop across the South on Friday, bringing heavy snow and ice to parts of Texas and Oklahoma, and move east toward the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches across parts of the Mid-South for the possibility of heavy snow late this week. Advisories, watches and warnings will be issued and expanded eastward this week as we get closer to the weekend.
There are still some differences in weather model forecasts, most notably on where the snow, ice and rain lines will be. With a storm like this, minor differences in the track of the low pressure system could lead to significant differences in the forecast.
It’s still too far out to forecast any specific snow or ice totals, but it’s becoming increasingly likely that this will be an extremely disruptive storm across parts of the Southeast. The major impacts will begin Saturday and last through the end of the weekend, with lingering effects into early next week as frigid cold settles into the region.
Even with the uncertainty in specific forecast details, it’s not too early to prepare for winter weather. If you live in the Southeast and could be affected by this winter storm, put together an emergency kit for your household and consider your entire household, including pets and check on your neighbors and family members.
This forecast is very fluid, as are all southern snow events, so please stay with Spectrum News for any updates. Download the Spectrum News app to follow the event as it unfolds and tune in to your local Weather on the Ones forecast.
Submit your weather photos here.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
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Spectrum News Weather Staff
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The northern lights could be visible across parts of the country tonight. A coronal mass ejection (CME) will likely arrive at Earth tonight, leading to elevated geomagnetic activity.
Geomagnetic storms are responsible for the visual display of the northern lights, or aurora borealis.
A CME is an eruption of solar material and magnetic fields. There is a Geomagnetic Storm Watch in effect tonight, with a G4 predicted. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, watches at this level are very rare.
The sun is currently in an upswing of its 11-year solar cycle. Scientists notice more sunspots as they migrate toward the equator of the sun, and when their magnetic fields tangle, solar storms erupt.
Earth’s magnetic field acts as a buffer to keep particles and energy ejected from the sun at bay. However, if the solar storm is strong enough, those particles can penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere, giving off light, creating the auroras we see.
With such intense CMEs expected to arrive on Earth, the severe storm might make the northern lights visible in the northern U.S., with the best chance of viewing at higher latitudes.
The energy from a solar storm is categorized by G levels. Tonight’s aurora forecast is a G4.
(NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)
G1 would show a minor storm, G2 a moderate storm, G3 a strong storm, G4 a severe storm and G5 would mean an extreme storm.
While these storms make the northern lights brighter and more visible in lower latitudes, the energy entering our atmosphere can cause disruptions to power grids, spacecraft operations and migratory animals.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) uses a planetary k index, which goes from 0 to 9, to predict the visibility of the northern lights around the world. The higher the Kp values, the further south people can view the aurora.
A Kp value of 8 is forecast for Monday night.
For the latest northern lights forecasts, check NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or an aurora forecasting app.
Make your best effort to get away from city lights and find somewhere dark. Experts recommend skygazing from a local or national park. And check the weather forecast because clouds can cover up the spectacle entirely.
Many areas in northern latitudes should be able to see the northern lights with the naked eye. If you’re farther south, your smartphone cameras may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Long-exposure is your best bet to reveal all the colors in the night sky.
When taking the photo, turn on “night mode” and place your phone on a steady surface. The longer the exposure, the better the photo will turn out!
If you’ve taken any pictures of the northern lights, you can share your photos here.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
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Spectrum News Weather Staff
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INVERNESS, Fla. — It was a chilly Thursday night and early Friday morning for many across the Tampa Bay area.
For those in areas like Citrus County, one farmer says he had to battle frost to protect his precious crops.
Spraying water over plants, like those at Ferris Groves in Citrus County, creates a protective layer over the plants to help prevent frost damage. (Photo courtesy of Ferris Groves/Beth Waller)
“Families come out, just like you see, and they have a great time,” said Chuck Bellamy, farmer and owner of Bellamy Grove. “And the kids really like it.”
Tucked away on the outskirts of Inverness is a family farm that has been around for decades.
“What I have available is cabbage and the big, sweet onions, the Vidalia-type,” Bellamy says. “I have the U-Pick strawberries, I have Hamlin oranges and honey bells available right now, but those are going to be over in about a week or two.”
For thirty years, Bellamy has been carrying on the family business by selling roadside vegetables and operating the U-Pick strawberry farm.
“From this stage to red berry is approximately 20 days,” Bellamy says. “You can also see on the same plant many different stages of growth.”
There may be no produce he has sweeter than the strawberry. Bellamy says a few extra precautions had to be made Thursday night into Friday morning with a freeze watch threatening his crops.
Ferris Groves, also in Citrus County, used frost protection irrigation to protect its strawberry plans from the cold. (Photo courtesy of Ferris Groves/Beth Waller)
“Turned on the water at 3 o’clock this morning, and it was 33 (degrees),” Bellamy says. “We wound up with a low of 27 (degrees), and so far, so good.”
Bellamy says they have about an acre of strawberries at his U-Pick farm. It takes an hour to 90 minutes to get the tiny fruit covered under protective tarps.
“This frost cloth is supposed to take it down to about 28 degrees or so in order to protect them,” Bellamy says.
It’s a lot of work but certainly worth the time because visitors showed up Friday to pick their share of strawberries.
“New people show up and, like I said, some regular people showed up this afternoon and this morning already,” Bellamy says. “This is how I make my living. So when I’m open, this is how I make my living.”
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Calvin Lewis
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