Five Things to Know: Hydrant Flow Tests Tomorrow

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 16, and here are the five things you need to know:

1. It will be noticeably colder in Salem today. The National Weather Service is predicting that local residents can expect snow and sleet before 4 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Today's high will be near 34. Tonight should be cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 30. (sunrise, 7:09 a.m.; low tide, 8:14 a.m.; high tide, 2:31 p.m.; sunset, 4:37 p.m.)

2. Consider yourself warned, hydrant flow tests in Salem Thursday night may result in discolored tap water. The tests will be taking place at 10 p.m. on Federal, Washington, Church and Essex streets. City officials are warning that the tests may translate to loss of water or some discoloration.

• Tip: Do not turn your hot water on! Let your cold water run until water clears. Also, do not do laundry until your water runs clear. If you have any questions, please call 978-744-3302.

3. The City Council Committee on Government Services will meet tonight at City Hall. The meeting, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., is expected to feature a discussion regarding a project on Washington Street, according to the posted agenda.

4. Salem High School's boys' varsity hockey team will hit the road to take on East Boston High School this evening. The puck is scheduled to drop at 6 p.m., so if you're free, consider stopping by to cheer them on!

5. Today in History: On Jan. 16, 1919 the United States ratified the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which authorized Prohibition one year after ratification.

For more things going on in Salem today, check out our events calendar.