Here's Where You Can Stay Warm In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Frigid cold temperatures are expected and a wind chill advisory is in effect for Somerset County through Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory from 7 p.m. on Wednesday through 10 a.m. on Thursday. Very cold wind chills are expected ranging from 15 below zero to as low as 20 below zero.

Here are some ways to keep warm in Somerset County:

The Code Blue alert that the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management issued on Jan. 6 is still in effect on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

If you don't have enough heat in your home, Somerset County is encouraging residents to visit indoor public facilities such as shopping malls, libraries or senior centers to keep warm.

Additionally, the county Office on Aging and Disability Services operates six senior wellness centers that offer a warm place for active older adults, including wellness programs and health screenings. The county’s centers, which are accessible to individuals with disabilities, are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friend or caregivers should check on older adults but if no one is available, contact the county Office on Aging and Disability Services to register for the Telephone Reassurance Program. The county Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service that offers a daily phone call by trained staff to people who live alone and feel isolated from the community due to age, health problems or living arrangements.

Residents can also contact their town to find out if a shelter or warming center is available. After hours and on days the county is not open, Somerset County residents can contact a 24/7 hotline service at 1-800-287-3607. Additional shelter and cold weather preparedness information can be found at www.nj211.org.

Here is a look at the upcoming weather forecast, according to the NWS:

Today: Snow showers likely, mainly between 2 and 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 28. Windy, with a west wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 2. Wind chill values as low as -13. West wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 15. Wind chill values as low as -14. West wind 10 to 13 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 4. West wind 3 to 7 mph.

Friday: A slight chance of snow after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 23. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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