Charlotte braces for big freeze. Extreme temps could last days, officials warn
Charlotte is bracing for a big freeze, with extreme low temperatures expected to last for days.
Local shelters are expanding capacity and on Saturday announced a no-turn-away policy for anyone eligible seeking a bed.
Temperatures are expected to plummet into the 20s overnight Sunday through overnight Wednesday, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast Sunday afternoon.
After expected rain Saturday, skies should clear and remain sunny through the week, forecasters said.
Extreme overnight temperatures, however, are forecast to linger until early Friday, when a low of 36 is forecast, according to the NWS office in Greer, S.C.
Temps could fall to 24 late Sunday-early Monday and 25 both late Monday-early Tuesday and late-Tuesday-early Wednesday, according to the NWS. A low of 27 is forecast late Wednesday-early Thursday.
Blame a cold front that’s expected to begin crossing the N.C. mountains, upstate South Carolina and parts of the Charlotte area Saturday night, NWS meteorologists said. The front will usher in a Canadian high pressure system that will be responsible for the extreme lows most of the work week, according to the NWS.
A chance of snow showers is no longer in the mix, as lows will be too warm overnight Saturday and skies will clear beginning Sunday, NWS meteorologist Ronnie Munroe told The Charlotte Observer at 4 p.m. Saturday.
On Saturday, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and local shelters jointly posted information about their plans effective Sunday through Wednesday nights:
▪ The Men’s Shelter of Charlotte/Urban Ministry Center and Salvation Army Center of Hope are expanding their number of sleeping spaces and implementing a no-turn-away policy for those eligible seeking shelter.
Additional mats will be available at the Men’s Shelter. Its 1210 N. Tryon St. campus is available 24 hours a day, while the 3410 Statesville Ave. campus will be available 4 p.m.–10 a.m.
The Urban Ministry Center Day Services Center at 945 N. College St. will open early, at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20.
The Salvation Army Center of Hope also is open 24 hours a day.
▪ Men’s Shelter of Charlotte/Urban Ministry Center and Supportive Housing Communities/PATH – Homeless Outreach teams will conduct outreach visits in the community to make sure people know what’s available as temperatures drop below freezing.
▪ Charlotte Area Transit System buses will drive people for free to the two Men’s Shelter locations and the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt St., during daylight Sunday through Wednesday.
Riders need only tell the driver at which shelter to drop them off.
“Mecklenburg County and its partners will continue to monitor the weather and community needs,” according to the joint news release. “Please note that each shelter may separately institute their own overflow policies on dates outside of Jan. 19-22.
This story was originally published January 18, 2020 at 3:38 PM.