Frozen forecast: ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä shelters ready as brutal cold lingers through midweek

While she feels the demand is higher this winter than last, she said there also have been many people volunteering from the church and the community.

“A lot of people are contributing to make it happen,� Briggs-Biondi said. “Volunteers are making sure people can get what they need.�

Sarah Collins, director of programs for the Kanawha Valley Collective, said her team feels prepared for the current cold snap, primarily since the city and the community organizations work together so closely.

She said unsheltered people in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä may begin their day with breakfast at Manna Meal — which operates several food trucks in the city — before making their way to a designated warming center for the day. Those who need it will then move to an evening or overnight shelter space, such as Bream SHOP, 317 Washington St. W., to rest and stay warm.

St. Marks and the KVC will provide warming shelters through at least Wednesday.

Briggs-Biondi emphasized that many of these services, including theirs at St. Marks, are volunteer-run, and that daytime warming hours can be tricky to coordinate with work schedules and daily conflicts.

Collins said the city’s main overnight shelters, Sojourner’s Shelter, 1418 Washington St. E., and Equinox Men’s Shelter, 505 Leon Sullivan Way, likely will be filled during the cold spell, but Bream SHOP will be open for overnight guests.

School closings/delays

The following area districts have changed their learning plans for Tuesday.

• Boone County: Non-traditional learning
• Clay County:Ìý°ä±ô´Ç²õ±ð»å
• Lincoln County: 2-hour delay
• Putnam County: 2-hour delay

Click here to find a full list of school district closings across West Virginia.

***Note: No school for Kanawha County Schools Tuesday, which is a previously scheduled professional learning day.

Weather forecast

Francis Kredensor, lead meteorologist for the NWS in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, said Monday that we’re going to stay in this cold front through midweek, although it might warm up a little by Wednesday afternoon.

There is a Cold Weather Advisory in effect for much of West Virginia until 11 a.m. Tuesday and again from 1-9 a.m. Wednesday. Wind chills as low as -5 could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

While early to mid-January is generally the coldest point of the year in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, we’re well below the normal high of 44 and the normal low of 26, he said.

With 4 more inches on the ground Sunday, West Virginia’s Capital City has received about 21 inches of snow for the 2024-25 winter season. The typical annual snowfall for ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is 31½ inches.

However, Kredensor said, this cold spell isn’t expected to bring much wind or precipitation this time around, although some areas could experience a dusting.

Tuesday night, expect a low of -1. Kredensor said Wednesday morning might feel the coldest, but it could reach a high of 24 degrees that day with a low of 10 degrees. Thursday could see the end of the Arctic blast, as temperatures climb as high as 34 degrees.

Get up-to-the minute road conditions for the Mountain State, provided by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, by calling 511 or online at wv511.org.

Prepare for extreme cold

This coming week’s wind chills, which could feel like the negative teens, could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of freezing temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes.

• In your home or business, protect pipes from freezing and know where your water shut-off valves are located.
• Wear warm loose-fitting clothes in layers.
• Check to make sure your family and friends are OK.
• Bring in pets.
• Use off-street parking and/or garages, to allow salt trucks and plows clear passage to maintain streets and roads.

Get tips on winter preparedness at weather.gov/wrn/winter_safety. Find winter safety tips from Appalachian Power Co. at appalachianpower.com/safety.

Warming shelter, cold temp tips

The following warming shelters will be open through the expected cold:

• Bream SHOP, 319 Washington St. W. 7 p.m.-7 a.m., Sunday-Wednesday
• St. Marks United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St. E. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday & Wednesday
• Kanawha Valley Collective, 1015 Smith St., 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday & Wednesday
• The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority will supply a warming bus, as staffing allows, daily from 5 a.m.-11 p.m. at City Center Station, on the west side of Slack Plaza.

Local emergency managers and community groups are working to report open shelters to West Virginia 211. Those in need of assistance should visit wv211.org or call 211 for information on nearby shelters and resources.

Hypothermia can occur when the body’s temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warning signs include:

• Uncontrollable shivering
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Drowsiness

Children should avoid playing outdoors in such conditions, and pets should be brought inside to ensure their safety. Frostbite primarily affects extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes and nose tips. Protective clothing, including hats, gloves and insulated footwear, is crucial for prevention.

Residents without adequate heating sources should contact their local emergency manager or health department for information on the nearest shelter or warming station.