Winter isn't over yet: Wareham braces for cold temperatures

Frigid temperatures and potentially powerful winds in the forecast have many Warehamites bundling up. 

Wareham Emergency Management recommends using the National Weather Service for up to date and accurate weather information. Current predictions predict one to three inches of snow for Wareham beginning late Saturday, Jan. 31 into early Sunday, Feb. 1. 

Director of emergency management, Calib LaRue said that the snow shouldn't cause much of a worry to Wareham. The cape and islands are slated to receive most of the snow.

"If the storm shifted 50 miles west, we'd be having a completely different conversation right now," LaRue said. "The fact that the storm is tracking to go out to sea, it doesn't seem like as much of a concern — but things can still change.”

Although the area is expecting what the weather service describes as, "manageable snow rates," wind gusts ranging 30 to 45 mph could cause reduced visibility due to blowing and drifting snow.

Temperatures are expected to dip into the low teens in the following days. Windchill will drop predicted temperatures into negative numbers.

"The good thing is that the snow on the [power] lines melted this past week," he said. "So the cold and the wind is the biggest issue." 

Wareham Municipal Maintenance were hard at work Thursday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Jan. 30 to clear Main Street and Onset Avenue of snow. LaRue said the efforts were thanks to Director Dave Menard. 

According to LaRue, the team cleared out an access road on Charge Pond Road to dump the plowed snow. Crews worked all throughout the day transporting the snow to clear the way for more populated spots in town. 

"Dave Menard," LaRue said. "He's behind all of that and he's very forward thinking. He wanted to make sure that the most busy places — the business districts in town were cleared."

The Town of Wareham and the Wareham Emergency Management advise residents to keep their bodies warm with frigid temps on the horizon. Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothing will keep the body warmer than a bulky sweater. 

More tips for weather events can be found at the Town of Wareham. 

While emergency management is busy preparing for what might come, Wareham residents carried on as per usual. Emergency Medical Services personnel, Michael Sylvia, was one of many still enjoying an East Coast classic Saturday, Jan. 31.

A Dunkin Donuts iced french vanilla in hand, Sylvia took a break from saving lives to enjoy his go-to drink in the chilly 19 degree weather. 

"It's a year round thing for me," he said. "It could be negative 40 degrees and I'd still be drinking it."  

Tips for the upcoming weather include eating regularly, as food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. The emergency management team are keeping watchful eyes on the radar for any changes in the weather. 

"During the week the Multi Service Center is open. The building is open for people to come and stay warm too. Throughout the week people who need it could go there," he said. 

LaRue said that in the case that the weather turns and temperatures drop significantly, the warming center will open.