Extreme Cold Watch

Dear Residents of the Town of Ausable,

As we head into the end of this week, our area is facing some truly dangerous cold weather. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence, and several other northern New York counties, including ours, in effect from Friday evening (around 7 p.m.) until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24th.

This means dangerously low wind chills are expected, with feels-like temperatures dropping to 20 to 40 degrees below zero. The coldest period is forecast from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, when conditions will be most hazardous.

Current forecasts for the Ausable area indicate highs in the teens or lower, with overnight lows well below zero and brutal wind chills amplifying the danger. This Arctic blast is bringing extreme cold across much of the region.

We strongly urge everyone to take this seriously and adjust plans accordingly:

• Avoid travel if at all possible, especially during the peak cold periods. If travel is unavoidable, let someone know your route and expected arrival time, carry an emergency kit in your vehicle (blankets, water, snacks, flashlight, etc.), and keep your gas tank at least half full.
• If you must go outside:
  • Dress in multiple layers of warm clothing.
  • Cover all exposed skin (hat, scarf, mittens/gloves, face mask if needed).
  • Limit time outdoors and take frequent breaks in warm areas.

Be alert for signs of hypothermia (a serious drop in body temperature):

• Confusion or memory loss
• Shivering (or lack of shivering in severe cases)
• Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
• Sleepiness or exhaustion
• Stiff muscles or fumbling hands

If you or someone else shows these signs, seek medical help immediately (call 911 if possible). If help isn’t immediately available, warm the person slowly with warm (not hot) liquids, dry clothing, and blankets—focus on warming the core (chest, neck, groin). Do not use direct heat like hot water or heating pads, and avoid alcohol.

Frostbite is also a major risk—watch for white/grayish-yellow skin, numbness, or waxy-feeling areas on nose, ears, cheeks, fingers, or toes. Get indoors and seek care right away.

If stranded in a vehicle:

• Stay with your car—it’s your best shelter.
• Run the engine for only 10 minutes every hour to warm up.
• Open a window slightly for fresh air to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow or obstructions.
• Tie a bright cloth to the antenna as a signal for help.

Generator safety (especially if power outages occur):

• Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, basement, or enclosed space—even with windows open.
• Place it outdoors with at least 3–4 feet of clearance on all sides for ventilation.
• Keep it far from doors, windows, and vents to avoid CO entering the home.
• Allow it to cool before refueling; use approved fuel containers and store fuel safely away from living areas.
• Follow manufacturer instructions, use proper grounding and transfer switches if connecting to your home, and never overload it.
• For full details, visit: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/generator

For more comprehensive winter and extreme cold safety resources, please check:

• https://www.dhses.ny.gov/winter
• https://www.dhses.ny.gov/extreme-cold-health-safety

Important reminder for our furry family members: Don’t forget your pets during this extreme cold! Bring pets indoors as much as possible—especially dogs and cats. If it’s too cold for you to be outside for long, it’s too cold for them too. Prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia, frostbite (especially on paws, ears, nose, and tail), or worse. Short outdoor breaks for bathroom needs are okay, but limit time outside, wipe paws after to remove snow/ice/salt, and watch for signs like shivering, whining, anxiety, limping, or seeking warm spots. For pets that must stay out (though not recommended in these conditions), ensure they have a dry, draft-free, insulated shelter with bedding off the ground, unfrozen water, and protection from wind—but bringing them inside is always the safest option. Organizations like the ASPCA and AVMA strongly emphasize keeping animals indoors during extreme cold to prevent serious risks.

Stay warm, stay informed, and look out for your neighbors—especially the elderly, those with young children, anyone who may need extra help, and their pets. If someone (or an animal) needs assistance or a warming center, contact local emergency services.

We’ll get through this cold snap together.

Stay Safe,
-Tim

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