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When even the National Weather Service starts using words like “brutal” and “shock,” it’s time get out your warmest coats and all the layers you can find.

Because it’s about to be really, really cold in Memphis, starting Saturday night, Dec. 13, and lasting through at least Monday, NWS meteorologist Andy Chiuppi said.

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Beginning around 9-10 p.m. Saturday, wind gusts are expected to pummel the area, which could prove damaging to trees, outdoor structures and especially Christmas inflatables on the lawn.

Temperatures will begin a rapid fall to an expected low of 19 Sunday, with the wind chill in the morning measuring below 5 degrees. Temps will stay in the teens all day Sunday and into Monday morning, but will then begin a slow rise to above freezing. Tuesday morning will also likely be below freezing.

“The temperatures will be very brutal with the wind in comparison to what we’ve had throughout the winter so far. This is our big first shot of cold air coming down,” Chiuppi said. “It won’t even really get out of the teens tomorrow, so we’re asking people to bundle up and wear hats, gloves and scarves. If you’re going to be outside, it’s going to be quite cold. It’s going to be a shock.”

The cold means that the Hospitality Hub will open its warming center, said Jessica Houari, the Hub’s director of operations. In the past, the Hub opened its downtown location as a warming center in addition to a church. This year, both have been combined into a single site, First Baptist Church at 200 East Parkway N.

The warming center will open at 10 p.m. Saturday, Houari said, and will remain open until at least Monday morning. Houari expects about 250 people to seek shelter there during this cold spell, and each will receive food and a warm place to sleep.

“We have cots and blankets. They’ll have all their meals while they’re there with us, so at least three meals (a day) along with any snacks,” Houari said. “We do not charge anything to our guests. It is completely free for them. So if they are experiencing homelessness and the alternative is that they’ll be outside, they are welcome to come.”

Also, anyone needing transportation to the center can call 901-297-1680. That number becomes active at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and Hub staff will coordinate with the Memphis Area Transit Authority to get people to the center.

But there is some good news, Chiuppi added, as this cold won’t be here long. By Tuesday afternoon, Memphis will see temperatures back in the 50s with Wednesday reaching a high of 56 and Thursday 64, which is about 10 degrees above normal.

“We’re going to have quite the swing,” Chiuppi said. “We’re going to get very cold and then we’re going to get much above normal.”