Code Blue remains in effect through weekend as frigid temperatures grip Bucks County

With bitter cold continuing across the region, Bucks County’s Code Blue cold weather emergency remains in effect through mid-February, and local police are urging residents to look out for one another.

In a public reminder this week, Buckingham Township Police Department emphasized the dangers posed by prolonged exposure to extreme cold and asked the community to check on vulnerable neighbors.

Officials said seniors, people with disabilities, families with young children and individuals living alone may be especially at risk during extended periods of frigid weather. Residents are also encouraged to bring pets indoors and ensure animals have adequate warmth and fresh water.

Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will be in operation nightly through the morning of Feb. 12.

The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:

Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951 

Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
Doylestown Presbyterian Church (Andrew’s Hall)
125 Mechanic Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.dtownpc.org

Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
(Feb. 1 – Feb. 11)
Calvary Baptist Church – Gym
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org

Anyone without reliable heat or safe shelter is urged to seek assistance at one of the county’s activated Code Blue shelters. If you see someone outside who appears to be at risk, authorities said not to assume someone else has called for help. Instead, residents should immediately contact the Bucks County Code Blue hotline at 800-810-4434.

County officials previously announced that shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks are operating nightly during the Code Blue declaration. The emergency designation is typically issued when temperatures are forecast to fall below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days, though wind chill, precipitation and other hazardous conditions are also considered.

Guests at Code Blue shelters must leave in the morning and may return in the evening when sites reopen. For details on shelter locations, hours or transportation assistance, residents can call the Bucks County Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.

Authorities said even a quick phone call or welfare check can make a life-saving difference during extreme cold.

 Friday

• Cool start to the weekend: Temperatures remain below normal, with highs near the teens to low 20s and wind chills making it feel much colder. Forecasts show a chance of snow showers, especially early in the day, with less than a half-inch likely in most areas.
• Friday night: Partly cloudy skies and continued cold with lows in the single digits to low teens. Wind chills will make it feel significantly colder.

Saturday

• Blustery and cold: Saturday will be cold with breezy northwest winds keeping temperatures well below average. Highs are expected near the mid‐teens to around 20°F, with wind chills possibly below zero at times.
• Snow chances: A few light snow showers could linger, but significant snowfall is not expected. Conditions should be mostly dry.
• Overnight: Saturday night will stay cold with lows near single digits.

Sunday

• Mostly sunny but cold: Temperatures will continue to flirt with winter’s chill, with highs near the upper teens to low 20s. A sunny day will help, but wind chill values could still feel frigid.
• Sunday night: Lows near single digits to around 10°F under clear to partly cloudy skies.

Monday

• Slow moderation: Monday should see a slight warming trend with highs climbing into the upper 20s to around 30°F. Still cold by seasonal standards, but not as harsh as the weekend