DECEMBER 24 - 10:30am

Tennessee Valley Authority has ended Curtailment Step 50 (Mandatory Load Reduction). No further rolling blackouts are planned at this time.If you are still without power, please report it immediately to 256-53-LIGHT (256-535-4448).
Huntsville Utilities is in continuous contact with TVA as we continue to monitor the weather.
Voluntary Load Curtailment is still in effect. Business and residential customers are asked to please limit electric use to essential appliances and to set their thermostats to as low as is comfortable. Limiting electric use during this time will lessen the chances of TVA re-initiating Curtailment Step 50. We appreciate your cooperation.

UPDATED - DEC 24
Here's an article from USAToday about protecting your pipes in freezing weather.


UPDATED THU (DEC 22) 9:20AM
The only change from the National Weather Service is the timing of the wintry mix for Madison County. 
The window is now 8pm - 11pm.

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UPDATED WED (DEC 21) 3:15PM
Here is additional information from the National Weather Service in Huntsville:

Forecast minimum wind chill temperatures are expected to drop as low as -5 to -20 degrees (F) both Thursday night and Friday night. 
A brief window of less than one hour of a wintry mix of precipitation is possible immediately along the front, followed by 1-3 hours of flurries/light snow. For Madison County, this will be from 7pm to 11pm Thursday night. Gusty winds will keep this from accumulating or creating travel impacts. The total snow accumulations will be less than half an inch. 

Additional safety tips from NWS Huntsville follow:





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Here is the latest from the National Weather Service in Huntsville regarding the dangerously cold weather expected in our area beginning tomorrow:

Extremely dangerous, life-threatening arctic air will move into the region Thursday night and continue through the weekend. Low temperatures in the single digits are likely Thursday night and Friday night. Lows in the teens are expected Saturday night and Sunday night. Wind gusts up to 35mph will cause wind chills below zero Thursday night and Friday night. Temperatures will not rise above freezing until Monday afternoon. 

Temperatures this low can lead to a greater use of energy to heat your home. To keep those costs under control, remember these tips:

During the day, open curtains on south-facing windows to let the sun heat your home. Be sure to close them again at night.
Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames to prevent drafts. If a window still feels drafty, hang tight-fitting or insulated drapes.
Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable, but not so low that it puts your well-being at risk. If you feel cold, put on warmer clothes instead of bumping up the thermostat. Use extra blankets when sleeping. 
Make sure your heating system's filter is clean.
Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise and at a slower speed to circulate the warmer air. 
Disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots to prevent freezing and bursting. On the inside, wrap pipe insulation on any exposed copper or PVC pipe under sinks, in attics, and crawl spaces. It's also a good idea to leave some faucets running on a slow drip to prevent freezing pipes.
If you have elderly neighbors or family members living on their own, be sure to check on them regularly, and take care of your pets. 
If you are using a space heater, remember to plug it directly into the wall outlet and not into an extension cord.
Use a space heater that has a tip over safety switch and don't place it near furniture or in walking areas.  
Make sure your space heater is the appropriate size for the room being heated, and use one with a thermostat to avoid energy waste.
Check to see if your heating systems auxiliary or emergency heat is running (usually indicated by "AUX Heat", "Auxiliary Heat", "Emergency Heat" or something similar on the thermostat. When you see this, it means your heater's auxiliary system has activated to help warm the air (think of it as a hair dryer blowing inside your heating system). When this system is running, it's using anywhere from 5-10% more energy usual. If possible, lower your thermostat and find other ways to keep warm.

Huntsville Utilities is closely monitoring the weather situation, and even though it is Christmas weekend, we have crews standing by to respond in case of a power outage or other service interruption. If you experience a power outage, call us immediately at 256-53-LIGHT (256-535-4448). 

Also, this type of weather means there will be higher than normal electric usage across the entire grid. If there is a power outage, wait several minutes after restoration before turning on any large appliances. A sudden drain on the system at restoration could cause an additional outage.

Customers are advised to monitor local media and the National Weather Service website (weather.gov/hun) for additional information through Monday.