Birmingham To Operate Warming Station Dec. 16-18

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Birmingham city officials said they are monitoring the National Weather Service forecasts, which indicate there will be freezing temperatures in the coming nights.

According to the NWS, Wednesday night calls for cloudy skies with a low around 31 degrees and a northwest wind of 5 to 10 mph. Thursday's forecast calls for a low around 27 degrees. As for Friday night, residents can expect a low around 33 degrees.

As a result of the expected chilly temps, the City of Birmingham is opening a warming station at Boutwell Auditorium Dec. 16, 17 and 18. The warming station’s operating hours will be from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day. Boutwell Auditorium is located at 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Blvd.

Because of the threat of COVID-19, everyone entering Boutwell will be required to wear a mask. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided. To combat the spread of COVID-19, no food or clothing donations will be accepted.

However, crews will accept the following items:

• Bottled water
• Blankets
• Skull caps, socks, skull caps, gloves, scarves
• Individually wrapped snacks such as grain bars, crackers, chips, honey buns, etc.

Donors may pull in front of Boutwell and someone will be unload their vehicle. Donations may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day this week.

Social distancing will be practiced at the warming station, which will be available to provide warmth for those without shelter, officials said.