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Extreme Cold

Closeup of an iced over bough

Extreme Cold

An aerial view of a car driving down a road in winter weather with snow and snow-covered trees on either side of the road.

About Extreme Cold

Extremely cold air comes every winter into at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. Everyone is at risk from the dangers of extreme cold, but some are more vulnerable than others, including newborns, elderly, people with chronic illness, outdoor workers, and unhoused individuals.

Wind Chill

The wind chill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when outside. Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL much colder. If the temperature is 0°F and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the wind chill is -19°F. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.

  • Prepare for Extreme Cold

  • Stay Safe During

  • Stay Safe After

  • Additional Resources

Prepare for Extreme Cold

  • Adjust your schedule. If possible, avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, typically the early morning. Try to find a warm spot for your children while waiting for the school bus.
  • Protect your pets, livestock, and other property. If you have pets or farm animals, make sure they are not overly exposed to extreme cold and have plenty of food and water that has not frozen. Take precautions to ensure your water pipes do not freeze. Know the temperature thresholds of your plants and crops.
  • Make sure your car or vehicle has at least a half tank of gas during extreme cold so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.
  • Dress for the outdoors even if you don’t think you’ll be out much.
  • Update your winter car survival kit. Use this checklist to make sure you have everything.
  • Weather-proof doors and windows to trap heat inside your home.

Stay Safe During Extreme Cold

  • Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
    • Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toes.
      • Signs include numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin.
      • Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
    • Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.
      • Signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness.
      • Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

Stay Safe After Extreme Cold

  • Check your pipes. Your pipes may be frozen. Water pipes on exterior walls and pin places that are subject to cold, like in the basement, attic, and under kitchen cabinets, freeze most often. Water expands as it freezes, causing pipes to burst. If they are frozen, first turn on the faucet. Water will drip as you warm the pipes. Heath the pipes using a space heater, heating pad, electric hair dryer, or hot water on a cloth. Never use an open flame. Continue until water pressure returns to normal or call a plumber if you have more issues.
  • Salt your walkways. Once it warms up enough to go out, it’s important to shovel the snow from your sidewalks and driveway or sprinkle salt if there is ice.
  • Check to see that your neighbors are okay, particularly seniors, disabled persons, or others living alone.
  • Refill your supplies. This cold event might be over, but there could be more on the way. It is important to always be prepared!

Additional Resources

Ready.gov/winter-weather

National Weather Service Cold Weather Safety

 

Disasters and Hazards