Huntsville Utilities is urging customers to take steps now to protect their pipes as another, potentially colder round of Arctic air moves into North Alabama this weekend.
The warning comes after Huntsville Utilities says it received numerous reports of burst pipes during the most recent stretch of frigid temperatures. With even colder conditions expected, officials say taking a few preventative measures could help homeowners avoid costly damage.
“We’re expecting temperatures this weekend even colder than what we just went through,” said Todd Long, Huntsville Utilities spokesman. “Don’t assume that since you were OK then that you’ll be OK now. Take a few minutes to protect your pipes and avoid costly damage.”
According to forecasters, an Arctic front will arrive Friday, with the coldest air moving in Friday night into Saturday morning. High temperatures Saturday are expected to remain in the 20s, with overnight lows dropping into the single digits and low teens.
Wind chills could range from five degrees below zero to five degrees above zero, creating dangerous conditions for exposed pipes.
Huntsville Utilities recommends the following steps to help prevent pipes from freezing:
- Allow a pencil-lead-thin stream of water to drip from faucets
- Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes
- Disconnect water hoses from outdoor spigots and use insulated faucet covers
- Wrap pipes in unconditioned areas with pipe insulation
- Maintain an indoor temperature of at least 55 degrees, even when the home is unoccupied
- Know where the main water shutoff valve is located so water can be turned off quickly if a pipe bursts
In addition to extreme cold, forecasters say a weak system could bring flurries or light snow showers to parts of North Alabama on Saturday. While significant accumulation is not expected, the combination of cold temperatures and possible precipitation could lead to black ice and hazardous travel conditions.
Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing through much of the weekend, with a gradual warmup anticipated by Sunday afternoon.
