Tag Archives: hypothermia

Life threatening winter weather – Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia

Wind chill is a life threatening weather danger that is often ignored or underestimated. (AP Photo)
Wind chill is a life threatening weather danger that is often ignored or underestimated.

Winter weather can not only be trying on the mind and soul, it also presents very real dangers to the human body.  Extreme wind chills can be deadly and bring on the outset of frostbite and hypothermia.  Here in Colorado, all residents should be aware of these hazards and be prepared to deal with them.

In this fourth in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand wind chill and how to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
600 AM MDT THU OCT 20 2022

Extreme wind chill – Potentially life-threatening and often overlooked

Extremely cold air comes every winter in at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. The arctic air, combined with brisk winds, can lead to dangerously cold wind chill values. The Wind Chill Index helps you determine when dangerous conditions develop that could lead to frostbite or hypothermia. It takes into account heat loss from the human body to its surroundings during cold and windy weather. The calculation utilizes wind speed in miles per hour and temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. For example, a temperature of minus 5 degrees occurring with a 20 mph wind gives a wind chill near minus 30 degrees. This means that your body will lose heat at the same rate as it would if the air temperature were minus 30 degrees with no wind. Wind Chill values near minus 25 degrees mean that frostbite is possible within 15 minutes.

  • How does the wind affect wind chill?  See the chart below.

Frostbite is the freezing of skin and the body tissue just beneath it. It first affects exposed body tissue where blood circulation may be limited such as your fingers, toes, nose and ears. To minimize frostbite, make sure all body parts are well covered. When frostbite starts, feeling is lost in the affected area and the frozen tissue will take on a white or pale appearance. If you suspect you are experiencing frostbite, hold the frostbitten area closely against warm skin to return blood flow and warmth to the affected area.

Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature and is the most common winter weather killer. When you hear of a hiker, climber, hunter or a stranded traveler perishing from cold weather exposure, hypothermia was the cause. Most people are surprised to learn that hypothermia deaths can occur with temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. If you or your clothing are wet, then hypothermia becomes even more likely.

Warning signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech and drowsiness. Immediate medical attention should be given to victims suspected of suffering from hypothermia. If no help is available, the victim should be warmed slowly with warm liquids along with dry clothing and blankets.

The National Weather Service will issue wind chill advisories and warnings when a deadly combination of wind and cold air threaten. A Wind Chill Warning will be issued for the following wind chill temperatures:

  • Mountains…minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
  • Lower Elevations…minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

When cold weather threatens, follow these tips for survival:

  • Stay dry, wet clothing results in much faster heat loss from your body. Wear waterproof insulated boots.
  • Stay covered, wear mittens or gloves and wear a hat. At least half of your body heat is lost if your head is not covered.
  • Dress layered, trapped air between loose fitting clothing helps to insulate.
  • Stay informed, have a portable NOAA weather radio nearby to keep you up-to-date with the latest forecasts and warnings. Use wind chill temperatures to guide you in dressing properly for the outdoors. On very cold days, minimize your exposure to the outdoors if possible.

Winter Weather - Extreme Cold Safety

Winter Weather - Signs of Hypothermia

Wind Chill Chart

Colorado Winter Weather Preparedness Week introduction

Don't be caught off guard by winter weather! Remember the Christmas Eve Blizzard of 1982? Be prepared!
Don’t be caught off guard by winter weather! Remember the Christmas Eve Blizzard of 1982? Be prepared!

Winter weather in Colorado can be an inconvenience but more than that it can be deadly.  Emergency preparedness for major winter storms – as well as for other types of severe weather – is an important part of living in a state where conditions can change wildly from one moment to the next.

To help raise awareness of the need to be prepared for these occasions, the week of October 16th to October 22nd has been proclaimed Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado.

The National Weather Service will be issuing Public Information Statements each day this week to highlight the dangers of winter weather and how best to be prepared.  ThorntonWeather.com will be posting these important messages here to help you be prepared.  Please take the time to read and heed these messages – your life and the lives of your loved ones could depend on it.

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From the National Weather Service:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER CO
600 AM MDT SUN OCT 16 2022

..Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado…

The week of October 16th through October 22nd is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado. This is an excellent time for all individuals, families, businesses, schools, and media outlets to review their winter storm preparedness plans. It is especially important for all new arrivals to the state to become familiar with the National Weather Service watch and warning definitions, as well as winter safety procedures.

Snow in Colorado is important to the farmers, the ski areas, and for filling up reservoirs. However, winter storms often bring heavy snow, bitter cold air, high winds, low visibilities and slick roads. This can lead to dangerous travel conditions and other life threatening situations such as avalanches and very frigid wind chill temperatures.

To help you prepare for these hazards this coming winter, the National Weather Service will issue statements throughout the week to discuss:

Intro Winter Weather Preparedness Week
Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5 Avalanche safety
Review Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

Winter weather preparedness articles added to Weather Education

Please view the Winter Weather Preparedness series to ensure you are ready for the winter!
Please view the Winter Weather Preparedness series to ensure you are ready for the winter!

We recently published a series of articles from the National Weather Service as part of Colorado’s Winter Weather Preparedness Week.  We have now made those stories easier to find by adding them to the Weather Education menu on the left of every page. 

This series of articles is a ‘must read’ for anyone living or traveling in Colorado or any place else that receives severe winter weather.  Covering a wide range of related topics, these articles help ensure you are ready for the coming winter.  The articles cover the following topics:

 

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

Life threatening winter weather – Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia

Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia are very real dangers in the winter.
Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia are very real dangers in the winter.

Winter weather can not only be trying on the mind and soul, it also presents very real dangers to the human body.  Extreme wind chills can be deadly and bring on the outset of frostbite and hypothermia.  Here in Colorado, all residents should be aware of these hazards and be prepared to deal with them. 

In this fourth in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand wind chill and how to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia.  

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS 600 AM MDT THU OCT 23 2008

Extreme wind chill – Potentially life-threatening and often overlooked

The combination of wind and cold temperatures in winter can be deadly.  Winter storms often bring heavy snow to Colorado which results in slick roadways, traffic accidents and stranded travelers.  While the attention of most people is focused on expected snow accumulation before a storm arrives, many ignore the life threatening combination of extreme cold and strong wind which often develops after the storm passes.  Wind chill is a measure of heat loss from the body due to wind and cold air.  Frostbite and hypothermia are two consequences of wind chill.  All three will be discussed today as part of Colorado Winter Weather Preparedness Week.

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