Be Ready For Unseasonably Cold Weather
As the thermometer continues to drop in Wisconsin, people need to be prepared for the blustery
conditions. Below are some health and safety tips to deal with the winter chill.
Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of –20°
Fahrenheit (F) could cause frostbite in just 15 minutes or less. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling
and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear tips or the tip of the
nose. If symptoms are detected—Seek medical care Immediately!
Hypothermia is a condition that develops when the body temperature drops below
95°F. It is very deadly. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, slurred
speech and drowsiness. Seek medical care Immediately!
Overexertion is dangerous. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart.
Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or
make an existing medical condition worse.
Pets also need extra care when the temperatures fall. Dogs and cats can get frost bitten ears,
nose and feet if left outside during bitter cold weather. They should be brought inside or have a
safe, warm shelter. Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can also irritate pets’ paws and be
sure to keep anti-freeze, salt and other poisons away from pets as well.
TIPS FOR PET OWNERS
Food: Outdoor pets need more food, of good quality, in cold weather to produce body heat.
Shelter: Outdoor animals need a dry shelter that's large enough for them to stand, sit, turn
around and lie down comfortably, but not so large that its normal body heat is lost. Line the
bottom with dry, nonabsorbent material that won't get wet, matted, and frozen. Marsh hay works
well; leaves and fabric do not.
Water: Don't make your outdoor pets rely on ice or snow for water, because the animal has to
expend too much body heat melting them. Use an inexpensive heater that sits right in the water
bowl to prevent freezing. If you can't do that, fill the bowl with fresh, tepid water at least twice a
day.
Walking: Keep your dog leashed. Snow and ice can make it difficult for dogs to follow a scent,
so they may lose their way and be wandering in bitter cold. Protect their paws from sharp ice
and salt, either with booties or by cleaning their paws thoroughly when they come inside. Shorthaired dogs need sweaters outdoors in extreme cold weather.
Grooming: Wet, dirty, matted coats cannot insulate against the cold, so be sure your animals
are well-groomed, but not shaved. After bathing an animal, dry it thoroughly before letting it
outdoors.
Cars: Bang on the hood before starting the car on cold days to startle any sleeping animals that
may have sought shelter there. And remember; don't leave your pet alone in a vehicle. It may
freeze to death.
Sleeping: Even indoors animals need a warm place to sleep, off the floor and out of drafts,
especially old or ill animals.
TIPS FOR LIVESTOCK OWNERS
Shelter: Generally, a 20-mph wind is about equal to a 30-degree drop in temperature. Make
sure animals have a place to get out of the wind, even if it is just a windbreak or a three-sided
shelter, and that other buildings don't deflect wind and snow into the shelter.
Food: Livestock kept outdoors will need more food than usual -- and good quality food. As a
general rule, nutrient requirements increase about 1 percent for every degree that the
temperature falls below 20 degrees F. Horses' nutrition requirements increase below 45
degrees F.
Water: Provide access to fresh water -- not frozen streams or snow -- daily. Stock tank heaters
and frost-proof waterers will ensure that livestock get enough to drink.
Bedding: Keep plenty of dry bedding to insulate udders and legs from frostbite.
Moisture: Long hair or fleece insulates only when it is dry. Wet or muddy hair or fleece loses
insulating ability and actually cools the animal as it dries.
Transportation: When hauling animals, especially calves and swine, cover openings in the
vehicle box to cut wind chill and keep rain out, but allow some air to pass over the animals for
ventilation. Provide a deep bed of dry straw for calves younger than 4 weeks or for any swine.
Be especially careful with animals recently brought in from warmer climates that may not be
acclimated.
WINTER WEATHER TERMINOLOGY
Winter Storm Warning: Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow,
heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually
issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy
freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before
the beginning of a Winter Storm.
Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when
forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in
advance of a winter storm.
Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or
blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile; these conditions should persist for at least
three hours.
Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life
within several minutes of exposure.
Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be a significant
inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure, and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to
hazardous exposure.
Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle,
and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead
to life-threatening situations.
Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when fog will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less over a widespread
area.
Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that
is expected.
Snow Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation
is possible.
Snow Squalls: Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation
may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.
Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing
snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.
Sleet: Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces
when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and
cause a hazard to motorists.
Freezing Rain: Rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it
to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even
small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard.
For more information about winter weather go to the following websites:
National Weather Service- La Crosse website at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/
Wisconsin Emergency Management website at http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov
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