Havre Public Works largely unaffected by cold

Despite the extreme cold, Havre Public Works operations have remained largely unaffected, even as wind chill values are predicted to reach as low as -45 today.

Havre Public Works Director Trevor Mork said the department's sanders are out and if the snow reaches four inches they will bring out the plows.

"Not much change from the whole history of Havre that we've always dealt with," Mork said.

Earlier this week the department put out some suggestions for people that may help them avoid frozen pipes.

The post recommends that people keep their thermostats above 65 degrees if they leave their homes for more than a day, and they keep their garage doors closed.

It also recommends finding the faucet furthest from where water enters the house and turning it on just slightly, so that it drips slowly.

Keeping the cabinet doors under sinks is also being recommended.

"Most of us know these tips and tricks, but we have been pretty spoiled this year so far and wanted to remind everyone that being prepared is paramount," Monday's post said. "Stay warm out there."

While extreme weather like this is hardly new to the area, it is still very dangerous without people taking precautions.

The National Weather Service has put out a wind chill warning for Hill County, and Northern Blaine County that will last until 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Weather Service is recommending that people avoid outside activities of all kinds if possible and to make sure they are wearing enough to keep warm, including gloves and a hat.

"The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes," the warning says.

Wind chill doesn't just make the cold more uncomfortable to be in, but can have a drastic effect on the body's temperature, leading not just to frostbite, but hypothermia, which can lead to, among other things, permanent brain damage or death.

Tonight's low will be around -40 with a predicted wind chill value as low as -55.

Saturday is predicted to be the worst day for cold with a daytime high near -19 and a wind chill value as low as -60.

That night the temperature will drop even lower, to around -39 but the wind will die down somewhat with a predicted wind chill value of around -55.