UPDATE: Changes to Warming Centers Open Across Anne Arundel County

(Updated at 4:50 p.m. Jan. 6) MILLERSVILLE, MD – Because of predicted snowfall into Saturday afternoon, Anne Arundel County officials have changed the sites open as warming centers nightly through Tuesday for residents who need shelter as frigid temperatures grip the area, officials said. The National Weather Service is forecasting wind-chill or "feels like" temperatures in the mid-teens overnight while the actual lows will drop into the teens this weekend, and the county is under a winter weather advisory much of Saturday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures as low zero degrees, which has prompted county officials to expand the centers' hours of operation, as well. Warming centers will be Friday night, January 6, at 5 p.m. until Tuesday, January 10, at 7 a.m.

Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be open Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

• Annapolis Regional Library: 1410 West Street, Annapolis
• Broadneck Community Library: 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis
• Brooklyn Park Community Library: 1 East 11th Avenue, Baltimore
• Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton
• Deale Community Library: 5940 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale
• Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library: 269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis
• Edgewater Community Library: 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
• Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
• Linthicum Community Library: 400 Shipley Road, Linthicum
• Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
• Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
• Riviera Beach Community Library: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena
• Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn
• Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park

These libraries will be open as warming centers from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8:

• Annapolis Regional Library: 1410 West Street, Annapolis
• Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton
• Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
• Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
• Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
• Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn
• Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park

»See the hour-by-hour and extended local forecast by clicking the temperature at the top of any Patch page.

The Anne Arundel County Police will make the Community Rooms at these precincts available from 5 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Tuesday:

• Eastern District: 204 Pasadena Rd, Pasadena
• Southern District: 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
• Western District: 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
• Northern District: 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore

Centers are accessible and have water and restroom facilities. Medical care is not available, and anyone experiencing or observing a medical emergency should call 911. Pets are not allowed in any warming centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals.

MORE ON PATCH

• Warming Up Your Car: Experts Disagree
• How to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing As Temps Drop

Weekend Forecast

Here's a look at those cold temperatures headed to Maryland this week (with the coldest day predicted to be Sunday), after a warmup predicted for Wednesday with highs in the 50s:

• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34.
• Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 29.
• Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 27.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17.

Winter Safety Tips, Frostbite Prevention

The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to exercise caution during extremely cold temperatures. Whether inside or outside, cold weather can be dangerous to those who are not prepared to deal with it.

Advanced hypothermia (decreased core body temperature) is usually accompanied by stiffness, excessive shivering, confusion, slurred speech, numbness or a weak pulse. Watch for the stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness.

Symptoms of frostbite (skin damage due to cold temperatures) include gradual numbness, pale or purple skin, hard (wooden) skin, or tingling or burning in the affected area. Contact your local emergency services if you or someone you know may be suffering from hypothermia or frostbite.

Children, the elderly and people with poor circulatory systems are at particular risk for hypothermia or frostbite. The Department of Health offers these tips to help residents cope with winter conditions when outside:

• Layer your clothing; it gives more flexibility and control over how warm you stay.
• Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Most problems with hypothermia occur because of an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
• Wear a warm hat. As much as 50 of body heat is lost through the head.
• Avoid getting wet when the temperature dips.
• Wear waterproof boots or shoes to keep your feet dry.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol

Residents should also be aware of the risks cold weather poses when inside the house. The Department offers the following tips to help residents remain safe in their homes during cold conditions:

• Store several days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water.
• Keep several days’ worth of medications.
• Keep fireplaces and wood-burning stoves clean.
• Never leave space heaters on and unattended.
• Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating properly.
• Check on elderly or disabled neighbors and relatives.

»Patch file photo