The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, issued a cold weather advisory until noon Wednesday.
“Arctic high pressure centered in the Plains extends into our area through today, then it settles right over our region Wednesday before moving offshore into Thursday,” the NWS said Tuesday.
The NWS is predicting a low of 2 degrees Tuesday night in Reading, a high of 18 Wednesday and a low of 6 and high of 27 Thursday and low of 11 degrees.
AccuWeather is predicting a low of -4 degrees Tuesday night in Reading. On Wednesday the forecast is for a high of 18 and a low of 3 in Reading. On Thursday, AccuWeather says Reading can expect a high of 29 and a low of 11. In Hamburg, a low of -2 is forecast for Tuesday night, with Wednesday’s temperatures reaching a high of 19 and low of 2. For Thursday, Hamburg is predicted to get up to 28 degrees and have a low of 11.
Wind chills could make those temperatures feel even colder.
A number of organizations have offered tips on how to deal with the cold over the next few days.
Knowing the signs of illness
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency urges residents to make outdoor trips brief, and to cover ears, head, mouth and face. Shivering should not be ignored, since it is the body’s way of saying it is losing heat and it is time to go back inside, according to a news release.
Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss and slurred speech in adults, and bright red, cold skin, and low energy for babies, the release states.
Frostbite can cause a loss of feeling and color in affected areas, and can cause white or grayish-yellow areas of the skin, according to PEMA.
The Red Cross said people should act fast and get out of the cold immediately if any of those signs are seen.
How to stay warm
The Red Cross and PEMA encouraged residents to stay indoors. Anyone going outside should wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, hat, mittens and water-resistant boots, according to the Red Cross. People should cover their face with a scarf, too.
While inside, residents should be careful with space heaters and fireplaces, and should keep anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet from the heat, according to the Red Cross.
Space heaters should be used sparingly, and should not be plugged into extension cords or power strips, PPL said.
People should not use supplemental heating sources, such as a generator, stove, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, basement, garage or near a window, PEMA said. Those could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. PPL encouraged residents to make sure their carbon monoxide detectors are working.
To save energy and money, PPL recommends covering drafty windows or placing a rolled up towel or blanket against the bottom of exterior doors. PPL said people should bundle up with extra blankets and clothes as well.
Homelessness resources
Opportunity House
Provides emergency shelter services for families, single men and women.
430 N. Second Street, Reading, PA610-374-4696
Call or walk in for services.
Code Blue program available in the winter.
Hope Rescue Mission
Provides emergency shelter services for single men age 18 and older.
645 N. Sixth St., Reading, PA610-375-4224
Call or walk in for services.
Code Blue program available in winter.
https://www.hopeforreading.org/
LightHouse Women’s & Children’s Center
Provides a safe place for single women and women with children.
715 N. Sixth St., Reading, PA 19601
https://www.hopeforreading.org/lighthouse
Mary’s Shelter
Provides shelter services for pregnant women and emergency shelter for youth ages 14 to 17.
615 Kenhorst Blvd., Reading, PA 19611610-376-1973
Call for services, or for youth, visit the drop-in center Monday through Friday 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Family Promise of Berks County Inc.
Provides shelter to families with at least one child in their custody that have resided in Berks County at least 90 days.
325 N. Fifth St. #1 Reading, PA 19601https://www.familypromiseofberks.org/
610-373-3323
Safe Berks
Provides confidential services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
255 Chestnut St., Reading, PA 19602https://safeberks.org/
The 24-hour hotline is 844-789-SAFE (7233) or text SAFE BERKS to 20121.
Berks County Coalition to End Homelessness
600 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601https://bceh.org/get-help/shelters-in-the-area/
United Way of Pennsylvania
Provides more in-depth eligibility requirements for area shelters.
https://pa211east.org/county/211-berks-county/
Christopher Dornblaser of The Morning Call contributed to this story.
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