Westminster, MD, Friday, January 19, 2024 – The National Weather Service is forecasting continued hazardous temperatures for Saturday, January 20. Forecasts are expected to be in the twenties, with wind chills reaching near zero for most of Carroll County. Because of the anticipated cold temperatures, the Carroll County Public Library System will operate warming centers around the county. Residents who are vulnerable to extreme cold and who do not have a heating system in their homes are encouraged to warm up in any of the following locations until the close of business.

As of today at 5:00 PM, all branches of the Carroll County Public Library System are expected to be open as warming centers during regular business hours. Please call the library branches on Saturday to confirm hours of operation or visit CCPL’s website at https://library.carr.org.

  • Eldersburg Branch, 6400 West Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg (9 AM – 5 PM, Sat.)
  • Westminster Branch, 50 East Main Street, Westminster (9 AM – 5 PM, Sat.)
  • Finksburg Branch, 2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg (9 AM – 5 PM, Sat.)
  • Mount Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Avenue, Mount Airy (9 AM – 5 PM, Sat.)
  • North Carroll Branch, 2255 Hanover Pike, Hampstead (9 AM – 5 PM, Sat.)
  • Taneytown Branch, 10 Grand Drive, Taneytown (9 AM – 5 PM, Sat.)

Facilities operated by private/non-governmental organizations will also be open as warming centers during specific business hours.

  • Human Services Programs Night-By-Night Shelter, 127 Stoner Avenue, Westminster (3 PM Sat., 1/20/24 – 8 AM Sun., 1/21/24.)

Access to heat and water fountains will be available for those who need them at any of the warming centers.

Carroll County Emergency Management offers the following safety tips for when temperatures are dangerously low:

  • Stay indoors if possible.
  • Wear several layers of clothing to maintain body heat.
  • Eat and drink regularly.
  • Use fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and heaters with care, and keep flammable materials away from them.
  • Additional places you can go to warm up in Carroll County include: stores, malls, restaurants, churches, movie theaters, and homes of friends and family.

For additional information, visit the Carroll County Health Department website at:

https://cchd.maryland.gov/