By Courtney Patterson

An Arctic cold front will bring lower-than-normal temps to Pike County and much of Alabama today.

According to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Wednesday will see a high of 47 degrees with winds gusting from the North. The low tonight will be 15 degrees.

The winds will increase Thursday morning between 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. and the wind chill will be 5 degrees. Thursday’s high will be 38. There will be no precipitation, so it will just be dry and cold

“Cold air will stay in place for a few days,” said Holly Allen with the National Weather Service in Birmingham. She said the temperatures are “not out of the ordinary; it’s just not normal temperatures.”

Allen explained that the jet stream can change orientation during the winter, bringing cold wind south from the poles. The average temperature for the area in early January is approximately 36 degrees. Low temperatures such as the ones approaching for Wednesday and Thursday occur at least once a year, according to Allen.

“It’s definitely below average,” Allen said, but it is not surprising and should not cause any alarm.

During this cold front, it is wise to protect any pipes that are outside so they do not freeze at night. Pipes that are located outside of a home are at a risk of freezing, but simply covering the pipes will protect them from the cold.

To prevent indoor plumbing from freezing overnight, leave the pipes slowly dripping overnight.

Plants that are outdoors should be brought inside, as well as any outdoor pets. If the pets cannot be brought inside, make sure that there is proper shelter to shield them from the cold, such as a doghouse or a garage, so they can stay out of the cold weather.