Computer Models are sounding alerts about a sudden, dramatic, and dangerous change in weather across the entire northern Hemisphere, during the first two weeks on January 2025; the kind of cold that KILLS people.
The computer model below shows the "historic" scope of the coming COLD temperature drops:
To put this in perspective for readers, it was explained to me that the video above projects the coming cold to "historic average surface temperatures from the past 100 years."
In most areas, the coming cold is forecast to be "on average, thirty-one degrees colder than the typical normal temperature for this time of year."
So if your area's "typical" temperature in January is 31 degrees, then the coming cold is forecast to be thirty-one degrees colder, which puts your area at ZERO.
More importantly, the square miles to be affected by this cold is so large, so vast, that almost EVERY area of the ENTIRE northern hemisphere is going to be calling for FAR MORE energy than normal to heat homes and businesses. Thus, the electric grid, which would normally be taxed by the cold weather itself, is going to be hit extremely hard by the surging demand for electric over such an enormous area.
This demand could result in widespread and prolonged power outages.
PREPARE
Are you prepared for this type of deadly cold? Do you and your family have warm winter coats? Hats? Gloves? Boots?
I ask because just recently, I saw people out in zero degree weather here in northeastern Pennsylvania, wearing just hoodies, and their kids walking around in sneakers. That is simply not suitable for the type of cold that's coming.
You and your family - especially kids - need heavy winter coats, heavy winter boots (Hiking, Trail, or Work boots). "Long Johns" underwear, or at least sweat pants, to wear beneath jeans, and DOUBLE pairs of socks.
Do you have a way to heat your home if the electricity is out?
If you do NOT have a way to heat your home when the electricity is out, do you have extra blankets (wool or cotton, not polyester), or comforters to put on the bed to keep you warm at night?
Are your water pipes under the house insulated or do they have a tape-heater on them to prevent freezing? If they have a heater, when was the last time you checked to see if it is actually working?
The type of cold that is projected to be coming is serious and dangerous. You need to make certain you're ready to survive.
Cars, pick-up trucks:
When was the last time you checked your anti-freeze? Most people N E V E R check that! Now is a good time to check it. Rusty? Change it. Not rusty, but has over 25,000 miles on it? Change it.
If your engine block freezes, it has things called "freeze-out plugs" to prevent the engine block from cracking under the pressure of expanding ice. But once a freeze-out plug blows out, you can't use the car until a mechanic installs a new freeze-out plug because when the plug pops out, all the anti-freeze pours out. So check your anti-freeze and if it needs changing, GET IT DONE.
Tire pressure? When was the last time you checked your tire pressure? Most newer cars have automatic sensors that monitor tire pressure, and will give the driver a low-tire-pressure alert. But older cars and truck do not have those sensors.
Severe cold causes very significant drop in tire pressure. My Kia K5 tires were at 32 pounds when I got the car in August. Two weeks ago, when it dropped to about three degrees here in Pennsylvania, all four tires on the Kia dropped to twenty-two (22) pounds of tire pressure! Check your car/truck tires! ! ! ! Top-off the air pressure if needed.
Battery? Car batteries take a real beating in severe cold. Are you battery terminals clean of acid and debris? Are your battery cables tight on those terminals? Take a look. Give them a quick check. If the battery is weak, and you've been "getting to it" for awhile (but haven't actually gotten to it) get to it. This kind of cold kills weak batteries.
Diesel Engines:
Diesel fuel is thicker than gasoline and in extremely cold temperatures, it can "gel-up." Every autoparts store sells cold weather diesel fuel treatment which you pour into the tank before you fill up. It mixes into the diesel fuel and helps prevent the diesel fuel from gelling-up, because if it DOES gel-up, your vehicle can't run. The jelly-like fuel cannot be pumped.
KEEPING WARM IN A DISABLED CAR
Have a Blanket and food in the car. Do you have a blanket in the car in case you get disabled? Something to keep you and your family warm even though the car isn't running. What about a couple snacks? Just something to pick on while you're waiting for help?
Put a blanket (or two) in the trunk and put a small snack box with shelf-stable snacks and maybe a couple bottles of water -- but that might freeze, so the beverage is "iffy."
All these things are simple common sense. Unfortunately, most of us are so very busy, we can't keep up with all the preps and then, when we least expect it, and can least afford it, WHAM, mother nature comes a calling and we get an unwelcome and nasty series of surprises.
Prep now so YOU can get through whatever comes your way. You have a few days ---- but only a few.
