WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Home heating demand and utility bills are expected to soar as a blast of Arctic air sweeping over the United States will create the coldest two-week period from the Rockies to the Atlantic coast since the winter of 1995-96, forecasters at AccuWeather Inc. said on Friday.

The cold weather could compound low U.S. crude oil inventories caused by a workers strike in Venezuela, the fourth largest oil supplier to the United States, the forecasting company said.

Joe Bastardi, who is AccuWeather's long-range forecast expert, said the Jan. 10 to Jan. 25 period will be the coldest two-week period in seven years for a large part of the United States and will probably last for the remainder of January.

Many areas that have experienced mild weather so far this winter, such as the Upper Mississippi Valley and the Plains, will receive a wake-up call that the cold season is not going to pass them by, according to Bastardi.

"For people who have been enjoying warmer-than-normal temperatures and lower energy costs, these cold winds will be a slap in the face when they step outside, and a kick in the wallet when they get their heating bills," he said.

"The mild weather in the Plains and Midwest will be a memory," Bastardi added.

The specter of a prolonged cold snap is even more significant because the U.S. Energy Department predicts that, even if temperatures are normal the rest of the winter, home heating bills will still remain high. The department forecasts that winter heating bills will be up 43 percent for heating oil, 34 percent for natural gas and 12 percent for electricity compared with last winter.

This does not take into account the impending cold snap, which could increase energy bills even further, Bastardi said.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2003

Answers

Just had the Propane delivered Fri, hadn't used even 1/4 of it....in 6 weeks, he said he'd wait 2 months till he comes back.. but we are burning alot of wood..it's FREE! last yr we were paying 190.00 every 6 weeks during heating season.

And we are in the middle of this winter storm, out east they have closed some of the freeways tonight.

here is not snow, just brutal winds and wind chill..I am done outside for the night.. I am glad I am not a horse!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2003

Must remember to call chimney sweep today. . .

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2003