The strong Arctic storm predicted to arrive today is now expected to arrive sometime tonight, after the evening rush hour.
Thought it’s a little late, it hasn’t lost any of its punch. The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures will begin dropping into the teens and single digits tonight and remain there through the weekend into early next week. Lows may drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the metro area.
The storm will drop some snow but commuters shouldn’t have to worry about it as it is not expected to start falling until Friday evening. A total of 6 to 7 inches is expected to fall on the metro area through the weekend, with heavier amounts in the foothills.
Denver’s Office of Emergency Management warns residents to stock up on food, medicines and other supplies that may be needed through the weekend. Pets should be brought inside. Car batteries should be checked or replaced because cold temperatures affect them dramatically. Wiper fluid should be topped off before the thaw.
Frozen water pipes inside homes can be thawed with hair dryers or rags dipped in warm water. Do not use open flames on pipes, which can burst from too much heat. Homeowners are advised to find their water shut off valves and know how to shut off the water main in case their pipes burst.
The cold front should move out of the area by Tuesday or early Wednesday, according to the weather service.
