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.