MONTPELIER — Gov. Peter Shumlin on Friday urged Vermonters to prepare for frigid weather conditions this weekend. In addition, the governor advised Vermonters at risk of homelessness to contact their local Economic Services Division office before 4:30 p.m. or to call 211 after 4:30 p.m. to arrange for temporary housing during the coldest nights.
The Vermont Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security is issuing Wind Chill Warnings for most of the state from 4 a.m. Saturday through 7 p.m. Sunday, with wind chill temperatures expected to plunge to between 25 and 40 below zero.
“Vermonters are used to cold Februaries, but the forecast for this weekend is for frigid temperatures that can be potentially dangerous,” Gov. Shumlin said in a press release.
He asked people to check on the welfare of friends, family, and neighbors who are elderly or may otherwise need assistance to make sure they are staying warm.  In addition, Gov. Shumlin advised Vermonters to avoid hypothermia and frostbite by dressing appropriately for conditions and not staying  outside too long.
The National Weather Service on Friday afternoon was forecasting a low of 4 degrees F. for Friday night in Middlebury with a 50 percent chance of snow showers around daylight on Saturday morning. Saturday’s forecast high is 6 degrees with the coldest deep freeze slated for Saturday night, when it could get down to -17 degrees F, plus there is a wind chill warning from Friday night into Sunday night.
The NWS forecast high for Monday is 24 degrees.