Random Special weather statement. My take away… Check on the elderly and pets. Regardless, of the fact that it seems very wrong to group those two together, recent power outages around town make it all the more important to check on older friends and family when it gets really cold. I post this for lack of anything better.

…OLD MAN WINTER GETS A FIRM GRIP ON MIDDLE TENNESSEE… THE COLDEST AIR OF THE SEASON IS NOW COVERING MIDDLE TENNESSEE…AND WILL CONTINUE FOR QUITE A WHILE. RE-ENFORCING BLASTS OF ARCTIC AIR WILL KEEP THE MID STATE IN THE DEEP FREEZE FOR A WHILE. LOW TEMPERATURES FOR THE NEXT 5 TO 6 DAYS WILL BE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS TO MID TEENS…WITH HIGHS ONLY IN THE UPPER 20S TO MID 30S. THIS IS ABOUT 15 TO 20 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. HERE ARE A FEW SAFETY RULES IF YOU PLAN TO BE OUTSIDE FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. …DRESS WARMLY AND STAY DRY…THIS INCLUDES WEARING A HAT…A SCARF OR KNIT MASK TO COVER FACE AND MOUTH…SLEEVES THAT ARE SNUG AT THE WRIST…MITTENS…THEY ARE WARMER THAN GLOVES…WATER-RESISTANT COATS AND BOOTS…AND SEVERAL LAYERS OF LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING. ALSO…CHECK ON YOUR ELDERLY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AS WELL AS YOUR PETS…AND BE CAREFUL WITH THE USE OF PORTABLE HEATERS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON COLD WEATHER SAFETY…