Salem will reach frigid temperatures every night this week, with a chance of snow and freezing rain starting Wednesday night, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service.

The service has put out a cold weather advisory starting Monday,  Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. through Tuesday at noon throughout the region, warning of risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Another advisory is in place from 7 p.m. Tuesday through noon Wednesday.

Salem on Monday night will see a low of 22 degrees.

According to the advisory, people should wear a hat and gloves while outdoors, keep pets indoors as much as possible and check on older family friends and neighbors. 

The service advises people to not use generators or grills indoors for warmth, which can produce deadly carbon monoxide according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During the day Tuesday, Salem is expected to reach a high of 41 degrees. That night it will reach a low of 20 degrees, according to the forecast.

There’s a chance of less than a half an inch of snow starting Wednesday night, which will have a low of 24 degrees.

Winter weather is expected Thursday, with a chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m. followed by freezing rain in the afternoon. Less than half an inch of snow may accumulate. Friday’s forecast shows a chance of rain or freezing rain.

Salem First Presbyterian Church’s warming shelter was open Sunday night, and will be again open Monday night said warming center coordinator Sue Crothers. She said 53 people stayed there Sunday night, according to a volunteer she spoke with.

Crothers said the shelter plans to open each night this week that is below freezing.

Salem First Presbyterian’s shelter space is at 770 Chemeketa St. N.E. and opens from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

Seed of Faith’s shelter will open today, according to the Mid-Willamette Community Action Agency’s warming shelter page. It’s located at 1230 Winter St. N.E. and will open from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Along with a place to sleep, guests at Salem warming shelters will be offered a full warm meal and food for their pets.

Cherriots offers free transportation to and from warming shelters, and there will be shuttles from the ARCHES Day Center to its partner shelters.

For up-to-date information about warming shelter openings, see the Mid-Willamette Community Action Agency’s website or their Facebook page for announcements. Call 971-304-9211 to hear pre-recorded, up-to-date information about available warming sites.

The Oregon Health Authority’s website includes winter weather preparation and health tips to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. They recommend seeking warm locations to limit exposure on extremely cold days.

People with hypothermia may not know it’s happening, according to the heath authority. It can happen in cold outdoor weather under 50 degrees, especially with wet clothing.

Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.

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