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Savannah Under Heat Advisory Amid Weather Changes

Residents of Savannah prepare for the upcoming heat advisory and winter weather changes.

News Summary

Savannah is experiencing a heat advisory as temperatures begin to rise following the departure of Tropical Storm Chantal. Residents are advised to stay hydrated and seek shade as heat index values could reach as high as 109 degrees next week. Meanwhile, preparations for winter weather are underway, with warming shelters set to open amidst concerns for severe conditions expected. The city is taking proactive measures to ensure community safety during both the heat and anticipated winter weather challenges.

Savannah is currently facing a heat advisory as the region transitions from Tropical Storm Chantal, which has moved out to the north. Quiet weather is anticipated to return on Sunday, with temperatures rising in the upcoming week, prompting residents to prepare for potential extreme heat conditions.

Beginning Sunday, temperatures will start in the low 70s, with highs expected to approach 90 degrees in the afternoon. A few isolated showers may occur but they are not expected to disrupt outdoor plans significantly. Beachgoers are advised to proceed with caution due to a moderate risk for rip currents.

However, the most pressing concern arises next week as temperatures could spike to the low to mid 90s, with heat index values soaring between 100 to 105 degrees in the afternoons. In some areas of Savannah, the heat index could reach as high as 109 degrees, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory. During the advisory periods, which will last from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., residents are urged to stay indoors where possible, stay hydrated, take regular breaks in the shade if outdoors, and wear light clothing.

To assist those needing relief from the heat, the city plans to open several cooling centers during the advisory hours. Facilities such as pools and splash pads will also be available to provide residents and visitors with opportunities to cool off. Additionally, three service providers will help individuals experiencing homelessness cope with the extreme heat conditions.

On a different note, Savannah will transition quickly to preparations for winter weather, as a State of Emergency is set to be declared by noon on Tuesday due to anticipated severe weather. Mayor Van Johnson has advised residents to avoid driving during the expected worsening conditions from evening into early Wednesday when snowfall and icy conditions may prevail.

City crews have ramped up preparations, with excavators and sand trucks deployed at the city’s Floyd Adams, Jr. Administrative Complex. The Georgia Department of Transportation has already pretreated major roadways in anticipation of the storm, while local crews will address side streets and less traveled roads as needed.

As winter weather approaches, the Tompkins Regional Center located at 2333 Ogeechee Road will serve as a warming shelter, with anticipated high demand from residents seeking refuge from the cold. The city acknowledges its limited experience with significant winter weather, having not recorded measurable snowfall in over seven years. Mayor Johnson highlighted the city’s unpreparedness for extreme cold and ice, with the emergency operations center set to operate around the clock starting Tuesday.

Furthermore, the forecast for the region indicates strong winds, potential hail, heavy downpours, and the risk of isolated tornadoes across the South, Gulf Coast, and Southeast. A squall line of potentially severe thunderstorms is expected to move into Southeast Georgia on Sunday, with estimates tracking its arrival in Savannah at around 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The severe weather could impact various local events, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Hilton Head Island, where attendees should remain vigilant regarding weather updates. In contrast, Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities appear to be set for smoother weather, with breezy and dry conditions predicted, along with mostly sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s.

In summary, Savannah residents are advised to remain vigilant as they navigate the potential for both extreme heat and winter weather in the coming days. The city is taking proactive measures to ensure community safety, including providing cooling centers and warming shelters, alongside necessary road preparations for the changing weather conditions.