While many people avoid cold weather, others are willing to brave the elements to run errands, keep up their fitness routines or enjoy some fun in the snow. Unfortunately, when people brave extreme temperatures, they can suffer serious complications related to hypothermia and frostbite. Before you make plans to venture outdoors during a cold snap, understand the risks.
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia occurs whenever the body's temperature falls under 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warning signs include drowsiness, uncontrollable shivering, incoherence, disorientation, memory loss, exhaustion and slurred speech. In severe instances, hypothermia can be deadly, while also increasing the risk of frostbite.
What is Frostbite?
Frostbite occurs when the body’s skin and underlying tissues freeze. In severe instances, frostbite can cause the decay and death of tissue due to an interruption in blood flow. Symptoms include cold, numb, stinging or prickling sensations in the skin; white, red, blueish or grayish-yellow skin tone; hard, waxy-looking skin; and blistering after rewarming in server instances. The fingers, nose, ears, toes, cheeks and chin are most vulnerable to frostbite, and should be covered as much as possible.
When Is Cold Too Cold?
Experts agree that it's best to stay indoors if the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit or the windchill dips below -18. If you must go outside, you should do your best to limit any skin exposure to no more than 30 minutes. With that said, a person can experience hypothermia and frostbite in much warmer weather, especially if it's windy or the person is wet. For this reason, it's important to take the following precautions anytime you go outdoors during cold weather.
- Dress in layers, being sure to include a wind resistant layer on the outside of your clothing.
- Keep your head covered with a warm hat and protect your extremities with insulated gloves and warm socks.
- Wear warm, weather-appropriate footwear that won't get wet if you step in a water or snow.
- If your skin or clothing gets wet, go inside as soon as possible to dry off.
It's also important to seek medical attention immediately if you show any signs of hypothermia or frostbite.
FAQs
According to the National Weather Service, frostbite can only happen when air temperature—not wind chill—is below 32 degrees F. Keep in mind that even when frostbite isn't a possibility, the wind chill can still make you lose heat faster and put you at greater risk of hypothermia.
At what temperature is it unsafe to be outside? ›
High environmental temperatures can be dangerous to your body. In the range of 90˚ and 105˚F (32˚ and 40˚C), you can experience heat cramps and exhaustion. Between 105˚ and 130˚F (40˚ and 54˚C), heat exhaustion is more likely. You should limit your activities at this range.
What temperature is unsafe for humans cold? ›
When Is Cold Too Cold? Experts agree that it's best to stay indoors if the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit or the windchill dips below -18. If you must go outside, you should do your best to limit any skin exposure to no more than 30 minutes.
How cold does it have to be outside to freeze? ›
Frost becomes more widespread when the temperature falls below 32°F with some freeze possible. A hard freeze is possible when temperatures fall below 28°F.
What temperature is too cold to play outside? ›
Just like with babies, letting toddlers play or be outside in temperatures or wind chills below -15 degrees F should always be avoided. It's just too cold and the risk is too high that your little one will be susceptible to hypothermia or frostbite.
What is the unsafe temperature zone? ›
Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 ° and 140 °F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often called the "Danger Zone." That's why the Meat and Poultry Hotline advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours.
What temperature is unhealthy outside? ›
What is the heat index?
| Classification | Heat Index |
|---|
| Caution | 80°F - 90°F |
| Extreme Caution | 90°F - 103°F |
| Danger | 103°F - 124°F |
| Extreme Danger | 125°F or higher |
Therapeutic hypothermia was introduced: The body is cooled down to induce hypothermia to protect patients during open heart surgery as well as victims of strokes, seizures and liver failure. Still, 56.7 degrees is the coldest anyone has ever been and survived.
How long can you stay outside below freezing? ›
A windchill chart from the NWS shows frostbite is likely to set in within 30 minutes if your unexposed skin comes in direct contact with a temperature that is 0 degrees F and wind that is just 5 miles per hour (or a windchill of –11 degrees F).
Is there a limit to cold temperature? ›
Absolute zero is 0 on the Kelvin scale, or about minus 460 F. You can't get colder than that; it would be like trying to go south from the South Pole.
A light frost occurs when the nighttime temperature drops to at or just below 32°F (0°C). A hard freeze is a period of at least four consecutive hours of air temperatures that are below 28°F (–2°C).
At what temperature will pipes freeze? ›
Your pipes are at risk of freezing any time temperatures drop below 32°F. However, it's much more common for pipes to freeze when temperatures dip below 20°F. The longer the weather remains below freezing, the more likely it is your pipes can freeze if not properly protected and winterized.
At what temperature do humans freeze? ›
Human tissue freezes at around -0.5C. As fluid in our tissues begins to freeze, our cell walls break leading to necrosis, or cell death. We call this frostbite.
How cold is it outside to be unsafe? ›
In general, when the wind chill is 32° and above, it's safe to be outside. In temperatures 13° to 31°, indoor breaks should happen every 20-30 minutes. For wind chills of 13° and below, you should move activities indoors and outside of the cold as frostbite can set in very quickly.
How cold is too cold for an outdoor event? ›
I recommend paying attention to the wind chill – and not just the temperature. If the wind chill below 32°, then you'll find a virtual, hybrid and/or indoor party is safer and more comfortable.
At what temperature should you not run outside? ›
They recommend not exercising outside when the temperature hits negative 18 degrees, when the risk of frostbite increases. Even before frostbite begins outdoor adventurers could be susceptible to cold stress.
What outside temperature is too hot for humans? ›
Research indicates that the upper temperature limit for humans is probably between 40°C, or 104°F, and 50°C, or 122°F. Extreme heat makes your body work harder to function and could lead to heat-related illness and even death. Sensitive groups, such as older people and those with chronic illness, are at greater risk.
How hot is too hot to stay outside? ›
Oller points to the heat index for this one: Temps between 90 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit are considered “extreme caution,” and anything above falls under the “danger” and “extreme danger” categories. “When it gets to be over 100 degrees, anyone is going to have ill effects from heat before very long,” she says.
Can you get hypothermia in 45 degree weather? ›
Most people are surprised to learn that hypothermia deaths can occur with temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees.
