Introduction:
With dangerous cold forecasted for the early and middle part of this upcoming week, we thought it would be appropriate to discuss some cold weather safety tips and outline some of the changes to the weather alerts that may be issued.
Weather Alerts For Hazardous Cold:
These are the official weather alerts that the NWS can issue for dangerously cold weather.
Extreme Cold Warning: Issued when actual temperatures or wind chill values of -25°F or colder. Extreme cold will be life-threatening to those without proper shelter/clothing and may cause infrastructure impacts like burst water pipes, power outages from increased heating demands, etc. Remain indoors, stay warm and hydrated, and dress in layers!
Cold Weather Advisory: Issued when actual temperatures or wind chill values of -15°F or colder. Very cold conditions could cause frostbite or hypothermia rapidly, especially for vulnerable populations and those without proper shelter/clothing. Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and stay warm.
Extreme Cold Watch: Issued when actual temperatures or wind chill values of -25°F or colder are likely within the next 12-48 hours. Make plans to stay warm and avoid outdoor exposure.
Some of you will notice that Wind Chill Warnings, Watches, and Advisories are no longer listed in addition to the aforementioned weather alerts. This is because in October of 2024, the NWS consolidated/simplified these alerts to help reduce confusion. See our article here for a full explanation on that.
Cold Weather Safety Tips:
Similarly to hazardous heat in the summertime, hazardous cold is the leading cause of winter-weather-related deaths in the United States and is not something that should be taken lightly. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and warm when facing extreme cold.
Wind chills exponentially increase the effects of cold weather!
Dress in loose-fitting, warm layers.
Be alert for the signs of hypothermia!
Confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, sleepiness/drowsiness, and stiff muscles all point to hypothermia. Hypothermia can be fatal! Move the person indoors and gradually warm them. Call 911!
Check on your 4 P's
People: Avoid prolonged outdoor activities, prepare for power outages and check on vulnerable populations like the elderly, those who work outdoors, the homeless, those with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, and children/infants are all especially susceptible to the cold.
Pets: Your pets are just as susceptible to the cold as we are. Keep pets inside as much as possible, and ensure they have plenty of food and water.
Pipes: Insulate pipes if possible using rags, blankets, or other materials, open sink cabinets and pop ceiling tiles to expose pipes to heated air, disconnect hoses and turn off water to sprinklers. It's a good idea to check your weather emergency preparedness kit at home and ensure there is fresh drinking water in abundance in case of water main breaks.
Plants: Not really applicable for us here in Michigan this time of year but check on any you may have near windows or doors.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold for a full guide on cold weather safety.