ATLANTA– Freezing temperatures and wind speeds are creating dangerously cold conditions across much of the US, stretching from Montana to northern Florida. The region is not expected to start thawing until Monday.
Here are some of the dangers the winter blast brings and how you can protect yourself from them:
Wind chill describes how the air temperature feels on human skin due to the combination of wind speed and temperature. Temperatures are expected to be in the single digits in parts of the southern U.S., including the Florida Panhandle, where it is typically much warmer.
In other places the temperature will drop below zero. According to the National Weather Service, parts of Kansas will feel like 15 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (minus 26 degrees Celsius) on Saturday. In other areas, bitterly cold air from Canada and winds make it feel like minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 34 degrees Celsius) outside.
Forecasters say the risk of developing frostbite and hypothermia increases as the wind chill drops.
Hypothermia occurs when the body’s stored energy is used up, causing its temperature to drop. People who stay outside for long periods of time – such as the homeless – are particularly at risk.
A series of storms before this weekend’s cold weather were responsible for at least 55 deaths across the country, many of which caused hypothermia.
In Tennessee, a 25-year-old man was found dead on the floor of a mobile home in Lewisburg after a space heater fell over and turned off, said Bob Johnson, chief deputy for the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. “There was ice on the walls in there,” Johnson said.
Although less serious, frostbite is also a problem in cold weather. It occurs when the skin – and sometimes the underlying tissue – freezes. To prevent this, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people who go outside dress in layers and wear two pairs of socks, a thick wool or fleece hat that covers the ears, a face mask or scarf, and insulated mittens or gloves. It also advises people to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol.
In Atlanta, city officials announced that two locations where people can stay warm will remain open through the weekend.
Water pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting at low temperatures. In Memphis, Tennessee, officials urged residents to boil water after days of cold temperatures led to broken water pipes.
So many lines broke that water pressure dropped throughout the city. This allows contaminants to enter the system.
Forecasters warned home and business owners as far south as Florida to wrap or drain outdoor water pipes to prevent damage. Another strategy is to allow a faucet to drip slowly.
Officials say people should stay indoors during a winter storm. But heating systems left on for hours can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because the deadly fumes can be produced by ovens, stoves and space heaters, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Carbon monoxide can also be created when people use portable generators or run cars in their garages to stay warm or charge their phones. Generators should not be used in homes or even garages, experts say.
Snow and ice can make driving and walking treacherous. Heavier than predicted snow fell in New York City, Baltimore and Washington DC on Friday.
New Yorkers have been warned that roads could be covered in black ice this weekend. Ice is a glaze that forms on roads, sidewalks and driveways. It is not easy to see and is often bright, revealing a black road surface underneath. The disease is most common during the early morning hours and on bridges, elevated overpasses and shady areas of the road.
People should avoid driving during such conditions. If they do have to get on the road, they are encouraged to drive slower and keep even more distance than normal from the vehicle in front of them. If they do hit ice, they should avoid braking and instead let off the accelerator. Sudden steering movements are also not recommended.