Regardless of any winter weather, there is growing certainty that dangerously cold temperatures are on the way late this week.
A hard freeze is expected across the entire area Thursday night into Friday morning, with lows in the teens and wind chill values in the single digits (possibly even negative in some areas).
Temperatures may not rise above freezing until Saturday afternoon (more than 36 hours), which will directly threaten exposed pipes and anything living outdoors.
