Nasty weather forecast through New Year's Day

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Now comes the real nasty stuff.

After a week of sub-zero temperatures across the Gogebic Range, a winter weather advisory was in effect for Iron County, Wis., and the Ironwood area through Sunday.

The National Weather Service also said a wind-chill advisory was in effect through Monday morning.

Lake-effect snow was expected, perhaps as much as a foot in the Ironwood area.

While the winds this week have been mostly out of the south, they could blow from the north and that will create even colder conditions.

Wind-chill readings throughout the weekend were expected to range from 10-below zero to 35-below.

Reduced visibilities and icy roadways were possible, the weather service warned.

Those wind-chill readings can cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken.

The low reading of minus-14 degrees for the 24-hour period to 7 a.m. Friday in Ironwood was far off the all-time record for Dec. 29 of minus-29 that occurred in 1933.

At Thursday’s Ironwood City Commission meeting, utilities director Bob Tervonen said about a half-dozen homeowners have experienced frozen water pipes inside unheated areas of their structures.

To protect lines from freezing, city officials advise:

—Leave heavy snow around the house for insulation. Plan plowing, shoveling and storing of snow to maintain maximum snow cover over shallow underground lines.

—Maintain at least 40-degree temperatures in basements, crawlspaces, garages and closed spaces where there are water lines.

—Insulate all water piping that runs along exterior walls.

—Place heat tape around the water meter to keep it from freezing.

—Do not enclose the meter in an unheated area.

—Use a fan to circulate warm air into unheated areas.

—Disconnect all outside hose hook-ups.