The weather outside may be frightful this Christmas for Santa Clarita residents, as temperatures are expected to drop to freezing on Friday evening.

On Christmas Eve, the high will be 59 degrees and the low will be 39 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

It will be mostly sunny and breezy throughout the day on Thursday and winds could gust as high as 35 miles per hour.

However, Santa may hit rain coming into Santa Clarita on Thursday night as there is a 20 percent chance of rain.

Christmas Day is expected to bring a high of 54 degrees fahrenheit to Santa Clarita, which is colder than New York City’s expected high of 65 degrees fahrenheit.

There is a 20 percent chance of rain before 10 a.m. on Friday, however the rest of the day will be mostly sunny with gusts as high as 30 miles per hour.

Friday evening will remain mostly clear and breezy with a low of 32 degrees fahrenheit.

A cold weather alert has been issued for Santa Clarita from Friday, Dec. 25 through Monday, Dec. 28 due to the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has offered tips to help protect one’s self from the cold:

Dress in layers of warm clothing if one plans to be outdoors.

Protect extremities from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves, and socks.

Offer to help those in one’s neighborhood with limited access to heat, such as seniors or those who are ill. Check on them frequently.

During peak cold times, visit indoor public facilities such as shopping malls, libraries or senior centers if one does not have a heater in his or her home.

Bring pets indoors and do not leave them outside overnight.

Place outdoor generators at least 10 feet away from all doors and windows to avoid exhaust gases entering one’s home.
Stoves, barbecues and ovens can produce a deadly gas known as carbon monoxide when used to heat a home. Never use these appliances in place of approved heaters such as electric, natural gas, or fireplaces.

Install a carbon monoxide detector in one’s home to reduce the risk of poisoning.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, headaches, muscle and joint pain and nausea.
Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide could lead to death within minutes.

Those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should be taken outside, into fresh air, immediately, and should be taken to an emergency room for immediate medical treatment.

“Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during such cold snaps. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Interim Health Officer. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

A Winter Shelter Program is available for seniors and those looking for a place to stay warm. Locations and transportation information can be found on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s website, or by calling the L.A. County Information line at 211 from any landline or cell phone. For the deaf and hard of hearing, please call the TDD line at 1-800-660-4026.