Jan. 20—The Baltimore City Health Department has declared a "Code Blue" for the next three days, as temperatures plummet into the single digits in the region in the wake of the weekend snow.

The determination is intended to reduce hypothermia deaths by homeless people, older adults, and other groups who are vulnerable to extreme cold. It triggers several public safety initiatives including a free program of hot beverages at the Salvation Army.

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The Code Blue took effect Sunday night — before a body was pulled from a burning and vacant home on North Avenue — and is scheduled to remain in effect through Thursday.

In addition, The Mayor's Office of Homeless Services has extended its Code Purple winter shelter activation through Thursday at 9 a.m., extending the hours of city-run shelters. Residents in need of emergency shelter should call the Baltimore City Shelter Hotline at 443-984-9540.

As happened earlier this month, this latest cold snap comes from a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped around the North Pole.

The public schools in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties announced they will open two hours late on Tuesday.

Partly sunny skies on Tuesday will turn cloudy in the afternoon and evening. The highs in Baltimore will be 20 with a low around 7 degrees at night, and a wind chill of up to 5 below.

Wednesday's forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of around 18 with wind chills of up to 8 below. Low temperatures Wednesday night will be around 10 degrees.

Thursday will be a bit warmer with a high of about 30 and a low of around 15.

That slight warming trend is expected to continue Friday, when high temperatures reach the low 30s, while lows remain in the upper teens.

Saturday will see highs in the mid-30s, with lows in the mid-20s, and on Sunday, the high temperature could climb to a more seasonal 40 degrees for the first time all week.

Have a news tip? Contact Mary Carole McCauley at [email protected] and 410-332-6704.

Originally Published:January 19, 2025 at 8:51 AM EST