Cold Weather Ahead In Newark, City Extends 'Code Blue' Alert

NEWARK, NJ — A “Code Blue” will continue in Newark this week as temperatures remain chilly, officials announced Monday.

The city is extending the latest Code Blue alert from 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3 until 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.

A “Code Blue” is called when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or when there is a wind chill factor of zero degrees. Temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 25 degrees this week, forecasters say.

Here are some important things to keep in mind if the thermometer starts plunging, according to an announcement from Mayor Ras Baraka and Ketlen Baptiste Alsbrook, director of the Department of Health and Community Wellness:

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR – The Health Department urges Newark residents to take precautions against the serious illnesses that can arise from extreme cold, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors and individuals with chronic health issues or mental health conditions. Citizens are also encouraged to check on their neighbors who may be isolated from friends and family.

KEEPING THE HEAT ON – The City of Newark Housing Code requires all property owners to supply heat from October 1 through May 1 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 68°F, and between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 65°F. To report no heat or hot water in your apartment, call the Division of Code Enforcement at (973) 733-6471.

HOMELESS SHELTERS – The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and its partners are dedicated to helping residents in need during a code blue. Shelters will be open during extended hours and will increase their bed capacity. Street outreach workers are available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, reaching out to individuals without addresses and encouraging them to enter emergency shelters or visit drop-in or warming centers. If you see someone who is unsheltered and needs non-emergency services, please text “Path Home” to 855-11. This message will be sent to street outreach teams, who will locate the individual and offer assistance. For more information about sheltering services, please contact one of the shelters listed below or reach the Office of Homeless Services at (973) 877- 9481, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Newark residents with insufficient heating at home can visit the following recreation centers during designated hours:

Newark public safety officials offered the following tips on keeping homes safe and coping with extreme winter weather:

• Keep the house heated to a minimum of 68°F. The temperatures inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 68°F will not keep the inside walls from freezing.
• Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent them from freezing.
• Check on seniors to make sure that they are warm and dry.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Check all windows and doors for drafts. Place plastic if you feel a draft.
• Do not leave space heaters unattended.
• Do not use generators indoors.
• It is illegal to use kerosene heaters indoors.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Take inventory of emergency items.

LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST

Here's the local forecast for the upcoming week in Newark, according to the National Weather Service:

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 45 by 1am. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west after midnight.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a temperature rising to near 44 by noon, then falling to around 38 during the remainder of the day. Northwest wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 25. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Snow, mainly after 1am. Low around 27. East wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 8am, then rain. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Saturday: A chance of snow before 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Rain and snow. Low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday: Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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