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It's currently 11°F outside, with a "feels like" of -5° and a forecast high of 18°. Should be warmer tomorrow and Monday, although still below freezing, while we get 10-14" of snow and sleet. Then it gets cold again, not venturing above freezing at least until Candlemas. Which I guess is good in that we don't get a melt-and-freeze cycle turning slush to ice, but there may be a layer of freezing-rain ice in the middle of tomorrow's snowfall. We've stocked up on various warm-and-hearty foodstuffs, and are charging battery packs in case there's a power outage.
If there's a power outage, the solar panels will automatically shut off to prevent zapping people working on the lines (we don't have a battery between us and the outside lines). The stove should work as long as we have matches to light it, unless the gas company is forced to turn off the gas. Opinions differ on whether the gas/steam boiler will continue to work: it's gravity-fed, and has a constantly-burning pilot light, so it would be capable of heating the house, but it's also controlled by an electric thermostat. Stuff in the freezer and refrigerator should stay cold as long as we don't open them, especially if the house gets cold. We have blankets and sleeping bags and dog-coats and candles and, if necessary, camping stoves. And no shortage of books :-)
If there's a power outage, the solar panels will automatically shut off to prevent zapping people working on the lines (we don't have a battery between us and the outside lines). The stove should work as long as we have matches to light it, unless the gas company is forced to turn off the gas. Opinions differ on whether the gas/steam boiler will continue to work: it's gravity-fed, and has a constantly-burning pilot light, so it would be capable of heating the house, but it's also controlled by an electric thermostat. Stuff in the freezer and refrigerator should stay cold as long as we don't open them, especially if the house gets cold. We have blankets and sleeping bags and dog-coats and candles and, if necessary, camping stoves. And no shortage of books :-)
