Fire department collects, gives away free coats as winter weather arrives in Breckenridge
Breckenridge’s high temperature for today, Wednesday, Dec. 27, is forecast to be in the low to mid-30s. Although temperatures may warm up some on Thursday and Friday, by Sunday night, it could be as low as 17 degrees with a chance of freezing rain or even some snow flurries, according to the National Weather Service.
The Breckenridge Fire Department collected coats and jackets from the community and has them available for free to anyone who needs a coat for protection from the winter weather. Fire Chief Calvin Chaney said the fire department has about 120 coats/jackets on hand, after giving away about 250.
Within the next few days, Chaney said, he plans to take the remaining coats over to the First Baptist Church Clothes Closet, where they will continue to be available for no charge. He said that some of the coats were donated to the fire department by the Clothes Closet but that most were donated by community members.
“People donated everything,” he said. “All the coats have been donated to us, and we’re giving them out for free. There are no attachments whatsoever. You just show up and need a jacket, we’ll give you one.”
To pick up a free coat or jacket from the BFD, visit the station at 120 W. Elm St. and talk to one of the firefighters on duty.
According the National Weather Service, today’s local weather is expected to be cloudy, with a high near 34 and north winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, it should be mostly cloudy, with a low around 27 and east-northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening.
On Thursday, expect cloudy skies that gradually become mostly sunny, with a high near 48, as well as calm winds becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. On Thursday night, it should be partly cloudy, with a low around 33 and southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday’s forecast includes mostly sunny skies, with a high near 58 and south winds of 5 to 10 mph. On Friday night, it should be partly cloudy, with a low around 39 and southeast winds around 5 mph. There could be patchy drizzle after midnight.
The possibility of precipitation is expected to continue on Saturday with a 20 percent chance of showers. The forecast shows partly sunny skies, with a high near 49 and south winds of 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. The rain chances continue Saturday night, when the low is predicted to be around 28 degrees with northeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
On New Year’s Eve, Sunday, Dec. 31, expect a slight chance of rain or freezing rain. It should be mostly cloudy, with a high near 36 and north winds of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. By nightfall, we could have flurries, possibly mixed with freezing rain and a low around 17 degrees.
The first day of 2018 will come in cold with a high on New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, expected to be near 29 degrees. The forecast shows a mostly cloudy and cold day, leading to a very cold night with a low around 16.
Story by Tony Pilkington and Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge firefighters, from left, Chad Skiles, Jon Jackson and Jeb Baxley, show off some of the jackets and coats available for free at the Breckenridge Fire Department. The coats/jackets were donated by community members to help their neighbors stay warm this winter. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
