EDMOND — Arctic air that chilled Edmond residents earlier this week has given way to ‚Äúwarmer‚Äù temperatures, but forecasters said another cold blast is coming.

Rick Mitchell, KOCO 5’s chief meteorologist, said temperatures would be warming up over the next few days, then plunge again during the day on Saturday. Today’s predicted high was 48 degrees, with a 40 percent chance of rain.

Mitchell was forecasting a high of 24 degrees Sunday and low of 10 degrees Monday night. Mitchell said the cold front would be mainly dry, and unless the forecast for next Tuesday were to change, the odds of central Oklahoma having a white Christmas are fairly low.

Edmond resident Julie Cox said not having a white Christmas here is “par for the course.”

Deke Arndt, associate state climatologist, said the last time the area had a white Christmas was in 2002, when light snow fell on Dec. 25 on top of four inches of snow already on the ground.

Arndt said the last big snow event on Dec. 25 was in 1975.

Central Oklahoma has a less than 5 percent change of having at least one-inch of snow depth on Dec. 25, according to the National Weather Service Forecast Office. Marquette, Mich., Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Hibbing, Minn., International Falls, Minn., and Stampede Pass, Wash., have the greatest probability (100 percent).

So far, Edmond has escaped significant wintry weather.

Cox said she stayed inside during the recent icy conditions because she didn’t have to get out of the house. When she does venture out in wintry weather, she said she is cautious, and she lets faster drivers go on by.

“I just don’t get in a hurry,” Cox said.

Cox said she likes to take extra clothing with her when she drives in cold weather.

At home, earlier this week when temperatures were below freezing, Cox said she kept cabinet doors below faucets open to help prevent pipes from freezing.

Experts also suggest letting faucets drip in sub-freezing weather, insulating any water lines that run along exterior walls, weather-proofing your home, and having an adequate supply of emergency materials on hand in case of power outages.

Other tips include knowing the location of your main water shutoff valve, keeping an emergency water supply, shutting water off to washing machines in unheated garages and eating well-balanced meals, which will help you stay warmer.

Drinking alcoholic or caffeinated beverages causes the body to lose heat more rapidly, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Drinking warm, sweet beverages or broth helps maintain temperature.



Pet safety tips

Mitchell advised pet owners to keep their dogs or cats warm at night and to make sure they have plenty of ice-free water.

The Humane Society of the United States offered the following cold weather advice for pet owners:

ï Don‚Äôt leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops below freezing. Animals should never be left outdoors unattended as they risk being stolen or otherwise being harmed.

ï Wind-chill can threaten a pet‚Äôs life, no matter what the temperature. Outdoor dogs must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.

ï Pets spending a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter. Keeping warm depletes energy. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to metal.

ï Warm car engines are dangerous for cats and small wildlife. Parked cars attract small animals who may crawl up under the hood looking for warmth. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car‚Äôs hood to scare them away before starting your engine.

ï De-icing chemicals are hazardous. The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet's feet. Wipe the feet with a damp towel every time after coming in from outdoors ‚Äî even if you don‚Äôt see salt on walkways.

ï Antifreeze is a deadly poison. However, it has a sweet taste that attracts animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach.



State offers help with heating bills

Edmond-area residents who need help with high home heating bills may be eligible for help from the federal low-income home energy assistance program.

The deadline for applying for the program is Friday, or until the funds are exhausted. Individuals can apply at their local Oklahoma Department of Human Services office and must provide household income information and their latest heating utility bill. Verification of Social Security numbers for all household members and citizenship verification must also be provided.

Maximum income guidelines for the program are: One-person household, $1,127 available monthly net income; two-person household, $1,517 available monthly net income; three-person household, $1,907 monthly net income; four-person household, $2,297 monthly net income; five-person household, $2,687 monthly net income; six-person household, $3,077 monthly net income; seven-person household, $3,467 monthly net income; eight-person household, $3,857 monthly net income.

Households that receive public support through the agency may be authorized automatically and will be notified of their eligibility and will not need to formally apply. Others need to check with DHS about their eligibility.

Households usually pre-approved are encouraged to apply at their local DHS office if they have recently moved or did not receive a pre-approval notice this year.