Picture 2Intown got its real first taste of winter last night as temperatures plummeted to freezing or below in some areas. The wind chill factor – and it was windy – made it feel like it was in the teens. Tonight is expected to be even colder with the Weather Channel predicting a low of 26F.

Here are a few tips to prepare your home  for the cold weather

  •  Cover your plants and flowers
  • Wrap outdoors pipes
  • Bring pets indoors
  • Turn off the sprinkler system

If you’re not a cold weather fan, don’t worry – temperatures are expected to be back in the mid to upper 60s this weekend.

Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft® newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist.