Temperatures in Coles County will be dropping significantly over the next week.

Everett Lau, WEIU Newswatch’s Sky Watch local forecaster, said over the next seven days those in the Charleston area can expect: 

• A chance of rain Wednesday night into Thursday with the possibility of snowflakes but accumulation is not expected.
• On Thursday, overnight lows will be in the upper teens.
• On Friday the high is expected to be around 36 degrees, which is 20 degrees below the average for this time of year.
• On Saturday there will be a high of 47 degrees and a low of 35. 
• It will be mostly sunny with  partly cloudy skies on Sunday.
• A blast of cold air with a chance of rain and snow on Sunday night.
• For Nov. 11 and going into Nov. 12, there will be an overnight low of 15 degrees
• On Nov. 12 the high will be in the 20s and nighttime temperatures will be in the teens
• Record low temperatures are expected on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12. 

Lau said people should plan their outfits accordingly for the weather.

“(People) need to be dressing warm, layer up. Especially when it is subfreezing wear gloves and hats,” Lau said.

Another thing people should pay attention to is their vehicles.

“You want to check the pressure in your tires, as it gets colder it’s always smart to check the pressure there,” Lau said. “Keep an eye on your batteries, I’ve already experienced my battery dying, cold weather and batteries don’t get along so get those checked to make sure that they’re in good shape and you don’t find your battery dead when you go out to start it.”

Lau said it is important to stock vehicles before the weather gets cold.

“Make sure you have warm clothes, blanks, stuff like that in your car in case you do get stranded without heat so you can make sure you stay warm,” Lau said.

Lau said as it snows more and accumulates it is important to put things in cars that can be used in case of long periods of time being stranded.

“It’s important to have cat litter for traction, jumper cables and extra nonperishable foods so if you do get stranded you’re not stranded without supplies.”

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].