More Cold Expected In Anne Arundel; Warming Centers Extend Hours

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY MD — The National Weather Service forecasts a cold snap for Anne Arundel County. Meteorologists expect temperatures to dip into the mid-20s almost every night through Tuesday. Sunday evening, temperatures will hover around 20 degrees.

Plus, wind gusts could reach 25 mph Friday. A rain-snow mix is possible Thursday night into Friday. That precipitation could return Tuesday. In response, Anne Arundel County is opening several warming centers, which have water and restrooms.

These facilities will follow social distancing and mask rules. They will open Wednesday night and close Saturday morning. The following warming centers will be open from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. each day:

• Northern District: 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore
• Eastern District: 204 Pasadena Rd, Pasadena
• Western District: 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
• Southern District: 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

The same sites will be open 24/7 from 9 p.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Tuesday. The centers have been open every night since Jan. 27. This is the second time the cold has forced the county to extend the facilities' hours.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health offered these tips for staying warm outside:

• Layer your clothing to have more flexibility and control over how warm you stay. Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Most hypothermia cases occur due to an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
• Wear a warm hat; up to 50 percent of body heat is lost through the head.
• Avoid getting wet when the temperature dips.
• Wear waterproof boots or shoes to keep your feet dry.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.

Health officials also said this is how residents can prepare for cold snaps at their home:

• Store several days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water.
• Keep several days’ worth of medications.
• Keep fireplaces and wood-burning stoves clean.
• Never leave space heaters on and unattended.
• Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating properly.
• Check on older adults and neighbors and relatives with disabilities.

More information about the warming centers is available at this link.

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