Snow and frigid temperatures are becoming a way of life in eastern Connecticut, although the region appears to be escaping the blizzard projected for the Boston area this weekend.

Employers and the people who run shelters and warming centers got ready Friday for whatever the three-day weekend may bring.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for southeastern Connecticut, calling for snow and strong winds that will at times create near-blizzard conditions late tonight into Sunday morning.

This weekend's storm is expected to bring another 4 to 8 inches of snow to the region, along with wind gusts up to 55 miles per hour, before tapering off early Sunday afternoon. After suffering through single-digit lows Thursday and Friday, temperatures are expected to rise back up to the low 30s today and then shift into the low 20s for much of the day Sunday - before dropping back down into the single digits again late Sunday night.

Personnel at Naval Submarine Base New London were prepared for the frigid temperatures, but also put some extra precautions in place.

"SUBASE is an all-weather base, so while we enjoy mild weather, we're certainly prepared for what New England winters can bring," Chris Zendan, base spokesman, said Friday.

During this period of extreme cold, the base has shortened the watch rotations for personnel standing posts outdoors, Zendan said. They have received heavy foul-weather gear, and some less-protected posts have been issued auxiliary heaters, he said.

Zendan added that base personnel and building managers have been asked to be "vigilant with regard to spaces and areas where frozen pipes could occur and utilities could be impacted."

The base has postponed a new Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department snow-shoeing class scheduled at the base's snow-covered golf course. As of Friday night, waterfront operations were proceeding as scheduled.

At Electric Boat, health and safety is the company's "number-one priority," said Dan Barrett with EB's public affairs department.

"So shipyard supervisors are monitoring the weather conditions and making sure employees are dressing appropriately," Barrett said.

As Presidents Day weekend began, many people could look forward to a day off Monday, but that doesn't give everyone a break from the cold.

Groton was not planning to open a warming shelter unless there was a prolonged power outage, said Joseph Sastre, director of emergency management. If a shelter were needed, it probably would open at the Groton Senior Center, he said. Public works crews prepared Friday for the upcoming storms over the weekend, checking equipment and loading trucks with salt.

Norwich Emergency Management Director Gene Arters said the usual city warming centers would be available during the daytime - the Rose City Senior Center and Otis Library - and over the weekend, the city's emergency shelter at Kelly Middle School will be on standby.

"With the current forecasted winds, we could have power outages," Arters said.

There were no reported problems Friday, Arters said, but "we do fully expect the picture to change over the weekend with the forecast."

The near-zero temperatures do not change much for the Covenant Shelter and Homeless Hospitality Center in New London, which is busy throughout the winter, Executive Director Cathy Zall said.

"It is dangerous to be outside when it is 10 degrees just like it is when it is 10 below," she said. "In this extreme cold weather, we operate the same way we operate the rest of the winter. Our mandate is to make sure no one in our region is left outside whether it is 20 degrees or 20 below."

Zall said the center already was "really packed" early Friday afternoon and was gearing up for what was expected to be a busy weekend.

"We will never turn anyone away," Zall said. "Anyone who presents in need of shelter, we'll make sure they can get in."

A frigid holiday weekend that includes both Valentine's Day and Presidents Day affects the hospitality industry.

"Extreme cold certainly doesn't help business," Bobby Soper, Mohegan Sun's president and chief executive officer, said. "The casino industry is like the rest of the hospitality and service industries. Extreme climates - snow, cold - tend to hurt us."

The nice thing about a casino, though, is that it's an indoor playground for those suffering from cabin fever.

"Everything's in one place - valet parking, a covered garage and a multitude of amenities to enjoy," Soper said.

It's anyone's guess whether extreme weather translates into more overnight stays at the casino.

"Our occupancy rate is constantly at 96, 97 percent, so you're not going to see any fluctuation," Soper said.

Day staff writers Claire Bessette, Deborah Straszheim, Brian Hallenbeck and Julia Bergman contributed to this story.