Arctic Cold Front Brings Dangerous Wind Chills to Charlotte Region
Arctic front to hit Charlotte region late Sunday
An arctic cold front is forecast to reach the Charlotte region late on Sunday, December 14, bringing bitterly cold temperatures, wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph, and wind chills between 6 and 10 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Cold weather advisory and affected areas
Forecasters have issued a cold weather advisory for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, and Union counties. The advisory is scheduled to be in effect from 5 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday. The advisory is issued for dangerously cold conditions and warns that wind chills in the Charlotte region could become dangerous after sunset on Sunday, December 14.
Expected temperatures and wind chills
Forecasters say a low temperature of 16 degrees is expected Sunday night in the Charlotte region, with wind gusts around 24 mph. The high temperature on Monday is expected to reach only 38 degrees, and Monday is anticipated to be the coldest day of the season so far for the Charlotte area. The low temperature Monday night is forecast at 24 degrees.
Conditions in the mountains
In the mountains, the arctic cold front is expected to produce single-digit low temperatures, with wind chills ranging from 15 to 20 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service.
Explanation of wind chill and health risks
The National Weather Service states that wind chill temperature is a measure of how cold people and animals feel when outside, based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin due to wind and cold. The agency notes that as wind increases, it draws heat from the body, which lowers skin temperature and eventually internal body temperature, making it feel much colder. As an example, if the temperature is 0°F with a 15 mph wind, the wind chill is -19°F, and exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes at that wind chill level.
Advisory guidance and potential impacts
The cold weather advisory states that very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure and advises people to use caution while traveling outside, and to wear appropriate clothing, including a hat and gloves. Experts also note that water in pipes can freeze and expand when exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees for a few hours.
Outlook for the remainder of the week
Forecasters say a warmup is expected to begin on Tuesday, with low temperatures rising above freezing for the remainder of the week in the Charlotte region.