How bad is this cold snap? You’d have to go back 25 years

It’s not just you. The latest cold temperature trend really is that bad.

Think once-in-a-decade bad.

“We haven’t had an extended period of this nature since probably 1996,” said Todd Heitkamp, meteorologist-in-charge for the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls.

With temperatures in the single-digits beginning last week and continuing through at least the middle of this week, “this is the coldest air of the season,” he added. “It’s a shock to everyone’s system.”

What’s happening?

It’s just a lot of cold air from Canada that has been locked in place and now is funneling down, Heitkamp said.

“And we’re not alone. It’s blanketing the eastern two-thirds of the U.S.”

How about after this?

Sorry, but the next seven to 10 days also look colder than normal.

“It’s moderating a little bit, nothing as substantially cold, but still temps well below normal,” Heitkamp said.

It’s not uncommon to have a cold stretch like this — but usually we get it in January.

By February, the weather headline generally is, well, your head.

“Usually in February, what we deal with is everyone’s moods because we get so many cloudy days,” Heitkamp said. “A lot of people get depressed.”

And after that? Sigh

“The 30-day outlook for the entire month of February is below-normal temperatures and precipitation slightly below, if not about normal,” Heitkamp. “But we don’t typically get a lot of precipitation in February.”

How to cope

Xcel Energy sent out some tips to keep in mind as we manage through the rest of the winter.

Let the sunshine in and keep the cold out.

Open blinds to take advantage of the sun’s warmth during the day but close them at night to insulate against the cold air outside.

Lower your thermostat.

During winter months, set the thermostat somewhere from 65 to 70 degrees while you’re home and at 58 degrees when you’re away. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your routine and could help you save on heating costs. 

Make sure exterior doors are fully closed.

 A major source of a home’s heat loss is from exterior doors that are left cracked open or not latched. 

Use fans to your advantage. 

During colder months, run ceiling fans clockwise, so the warm air near the ceiling is forced down.

Keep your oven’s heat where it belongs.

Use your oven light or timer to avoid opening it often while you cook; each time the door is opened, even for just a few seconds, the temperature drops 25 degrees. Put lids on your pots and pans while cooking to speed up cooking time and keep the heat where it’s needed most.

And don’t let the cold snap drain your budget along with everything else. Keep this in mind to save.

Lower your water heater’s temperature or insulate it.

The proper temperature for a water heater is 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and by lowering it 10 degrees, you can save 3 percent to 5 percent on your water heating costs; you also can insulate it to maximize efficiency.

Keep filters clean.

Dirty furnace filters reduce airflow, requiring your furnace to work harder and use more energy. Change the filter once a month during the winter to reduce your heating costs by 5 percent to 15 percent.

Don’t let the heat escape.

Affordable window sealing kits can be found in most local home improvement stores and can help you save more than $40. Have your home evaluated for leaky ducts, drafts around doors and windows, fireplace dampers and other places where air might escape.

Improve insulation.

Improving the insulation of walls, crawl spaces, floors and heating ducts is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy costs, saving you up to 10 percent on your monthly energy bill.

The other casualty of the cold snap: the Sioux Falls Winter Carnival. Click below for the latest on adjustments to the activities.

Winter Carnival cancels some events because of cold