The National Weather service has issued a special weather statement concerning unusually cold temperatures expected through the end of the week.

 

Forecasters are calling for overnight low temperatures to be in the low teens in the valley and single digits in the higher elevations both Thursday and Friday mornings.

 

High temperatures Thursday and Friday are expected to only be in the 20s.

 

As a result, Newport Utilities is requesting customers limit their use of electricity between the hours of 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. on those mornings.

 

According to NU, the service areas of greatest concern are Edwina, Cosby, Jones Cove, Grassy Fork, Hartford and customers along Highway 321 North from Parrottsville toward Greeneville. NU officials say the power system in those areas have had problems due to overload conditions during extreme cold in the past.

 

In an effort to avoid power outages from overloaded circuits, NU is encouraging customers to turn off unused light, appliances and chargers and limit cooking and hot water usage between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m.

 

NU officials say efforts are being taken to relieve overloading in the above areas and should be completed by the end of 2009.