The science of layering in the cold

Most people have to put up with the harsh winters outdoors during a mid-missouri winter. This means they are putting themselves at risk of cold weather related health issues such as frostbite and hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature. A couple of early warning signs of hypothermia are listed in the show graphic.

In order to fight the cold weather, you can layer effectively to stay warm. To start out, you'll want some sort of moisture wicking tighter fitting base layer. This allows for any moisture like sweat you give off to pull off of your body and not freeze or increase the hypothermia process, next you'll want to add thick layers on top of this to pad yourself keeping all of the body heat close to your body. Tucking in the lower layers such as your shirts into you base layer pants allows for less heat to escape. Next, you'll want some sort of outer shell. Preferably one that has some type of heavier duty wind breaking material. This comes in handy whenever the wind chill temperature drops. The wind is no longer able to push the heat away from your own body. Finally make sure to have gloves, and proper footwear since heat is pulled away from these areas first to allow for your vital organs to retain the proper heat. 

This proper layering will help you remain warm so if you are going outdoors this winter for example this Saturday's Jefferson City parade, you'll stay warm as temperatures look to remain into the lower 40's and mid-30s.