PAINESVILLE – Single-digit ambient temperatures with subzero wind chill prompted Lake County authorities to declare a Code Blue beginning the evening of Monday, Jan. 19.
A Code Blue activates local warming centers for unsheltered people during periods of dangerously cold weather.
A press release from Lifeline Inc. asks those at risk from the cold to contact 211 for shelter times, locations and updates each day.
The Cleveland office of the National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook through at least the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 20, predicting subzero wind chill values and dangerously low ambient temperatures.
Ambient temperatures overnight measured at about 3 degrees with wind chill values as low -4 Tuesday morning, Jan. 20.
Winds were a sustained 10-15 miles per hour, with gusts upward of 25 miles per hour.
NWS forecasts predicted ambient temperatures in the teens to single digits through Wednesday, Jan. 21.
According to the Lifeline press release, this year Code Blue will implement enhanced security measures, including metal detector screenings.
Any weapons identified during the screening will be safely stored overnight and returned to guests when they leave the shelter in the morning.
