A day of cold weather on Tuesday served as prelude to dangerous even deadly weather for Mercer County residents by the weekend. National weather models showed temperatures in the mid-30s for Wednesday followed by a balmy Thursday in the low 40s before the Trenton-area faces frigid air for ten consec utive days. In fact, high temperatures may fail to creep out of the teens for the upcoming weekend as lows reach single digits. Plus, potential for a significant snow event Sunday into Monday should cause concern. Major snow or minimal precipitation, weather forecasters assure freezing temperatures will wreak havoc. Here’s the sequence of high temperatures beginning on Saturday, January 24 — 20, 19, 22, 22, 26, 22, 23, 28. Low temperatures will reach single digits. Take precautions to keep pipes from freezing. (Open faucets to allow for a small trickle of water) or wrap pipes. Keep electric space heaters at least three feet from any items that can burn (curtains, bedding, paper, furniture). Place heaters on a flat, hard, non-flammable surface. Plug heaters directly into electrical outlet. Invest in a heating blanket. Stay inside. Extended time outside can cause hypothermia. Layer up and limit time outdoors if you venture out. Get to the supermarket. Cook a stew or soup in crock pot. Purchase essentials, including water. Put the kettle on for hot tea. Check on friends and neighbors who may be vulnerable, especially those who live alone. Hopefully, city, county, and state officials are developing strategies to deal with arctic temperatures and snow. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected]. ...read more read less