Dangerous cold expected for Mid-Missouri

It hasn’t been dangerously cold in Mid-Missouri since February 2014, but that trend is coming to an end. Thanks to a developing low pressure system off to our west, it will tap into some bitterly cold arctic air to our north. Temperatures this weekend will be near 0 degrees for the low, with wind chill values nearly 20 below zero. It’s these wind chill readings that will pose potential health problems to those outside for too long. In readings that low, frostbite can set in within 30 minutes of exposed skin.

As we head into the weekend with the brutal cold, here are some tips to make sure you stay warm if you catch yourself in the elements.

1) Protect your extremities

Your fingers, toes, and ears will be the first to fall victim to frostbite. Make sure you keep them covered at all cost.

2) Indulge in foods that will keep you warm

If you are going to be outside, you will want to eat food that are healthy in fat. This will rev up the metabolism in your body, which in turn will provide heat.

3) Wear proper attire

Make sure that any of the clothes you are wearing are dry and that you are dressed in comfortable warm attire.

4) Stay away from alcohol

Alcohol lowers the core body temperature and prevents you from shivering (which produces heat). When this occurs, hypothermia or frostbite can easily occur.

5) Wear hot hands when available

In addition to gloves, one can purchase hot hands to keep their hands warm during the bitterly cold stretch of temperatures.

Thankfully, as we head into the weekend, the cold trend will come to an end. By the middle of next week, temperatures will be on the rise and back towards 40.