Extreme cold is back in the area this coming week, with a multi-day stretch of sub-zero temperatures and wind chills.
The coldest period will be early Sunday morning through Thursday morning (February 16 through February 20), with wind chills consistently -25° or worse. For long stretches, wind chills around -40° are expected Monday, Tuesday, and early Wednesday.
During the upcoming blast of bitter cold, frostbite will be possible on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes (and possibly even quicker).
Those without proper clothing and shelter could experience hypothermia in the expected weather conditions.
There are simple things you can do to stay safer, like:
- Dress in layers
- Cover all exposed skin
- Limit time outdoors
- Bring pets indoors
Be on the lookout for symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia.
Victims of frostbite may not be aware of the condition because of the numbness of frozen tissue. Signs and symptoms of frostbite include:
- Redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign.
- White or grayish-yellow skin areas.
- Skin that feels unusually warm or waxy.
- Numbness.
Victims of hypothermia experience the condition at very cold temperatures, or at warmer temperatures if wet from rain, sweat, or cold water. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:
- In adults: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.
- In infants: bright red, cold skin, very low energy
In any case, if the person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, get medical attention immediately.
Here are some strategies to employ in coping with extreme cold:
- At home: consider wrapping pipes with insulation and turning on pipe and thawing with a hair dryer; invest in a generator if power reliability is an issue and keep it accessible and tested at least once a year; make sure any fireplaces are clean and clog-free.
- For pets: never leave pets outside for extended periods of time in cold weather; wipe off pets coming inside after being in snow or ice outside
- In the car: never drive without at least a half-tank of gas to prevent lines freezing; make sure to have an emergency kit with blankets, jumper cables, a phone charger, shovel, ice scraper, first aid kit, warm clothes, and water
- Outside: wear long underwear and wear at least three layers; wear insulated gloves, boots, and a hat; avoid caffeine and alcohol as they constrict blood vessels and circulation; move inside and use warm water or body heat to warm up at the first signs of frostbite; watch for signs of hypothermia, like slurred speech, disorientation, and uncontrollable shivering; seek medical attention in cases of frostbite or hypothermia
Check out this link for even more cold weather safety tips: