Advertisement

Dangerous Cold Prompts Warnings

Massachusetts officials are warning residents as unusually cold air descends on the state. Forecasters expect temperatures to drop below zero Sunday night.

WCVB-TV meteorologist David Brown said cold, arctic air will be with us through early Tuesday morning.

"A chunk of this (cold air) is headed into our direction," Brown said. "A cold dome of high pressure is slipping from Canada, settling in the Northeast, dragging with it that arctic air."

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said the city is prepared to help residents deal with the coldest weather in six years. Menino is urging residents to check on the well-being of elderly or disabled neighbors.

Fire officials are warning people who use space heaters to be extra careful by leaving three feet of clearance around the portable units to avoid fires. Authorities are also warning people never to use ovens or grills as sources of heat because of the high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gov. Deval Patrick is also urging residents to take precautions as the cold weather pattern settles over the area. The state advised residents to stay indoors and to "minimize outside activities in the next few days, particularly for elderly residents and the very young."

Any resident in need of fuel or shelter should call 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This program aired on January 23, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close