Matt Taylor from BBC Weather takes a detailed look at the dangerously cold conditions
Experts have warned that falling temperatures wreaking havoc across the United States and Canada could lead to frostbite on bare skin in as little as five to ten minutes.
A powerful winter storm in the Arctic put more than 135 million people under weekend weather alerts ahead of the busiest days of the year.
The alerts stretch from coast to coast and extend as far south as the U.S.-Mexico border and Florida in Sunshine State.
Major airports canceled thousands of flights as the storm intensified.
Frost could bring the coldest Christmas in decades, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said temperatures of -50F (-45C) and -70F will be possible in parts of the country by the end of this week.
They warn that even in major metropolitan areas such as the city of Des Moines, Iowa, frostbite will be a serious threat.
Frostbite occurs when blood flow is reduced, often in extremities such as the nose and cheeks or fingers and toes. The lack of warm blood can lead to tissue freezing and rupture, and in some cases, amputation.
Meteorologists say the winter storm could become a “bomb cyclone” by Friday.
A bomb cyclone is a term for an explosive storm that rapidly intensifies, with its central air pressure dropping by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
“It’s not a snowy day when you were a kid, it’s serious business,” President Joe Biden said during a Thursday briefing at the White House.
The arctic air mass is expected to bring strong gusts of wind and temperatures of 15F (-9.4C) to El Paso, Texas, where newly arrived undocumented migrants sleep outdoors on city streets.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm.
The threat of flooding and ice jams are “wreaking havoc on our community,” she said. Ice jams occur when large chunks of ice block the flow of a river and can cause flooding.
The governors of Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia and Oklahoma also declared a state of emergency, while the state of Wisconsin declared a “power outage”.
WATCH: Extreme cold and blizzards wreak havoc and can be deadly
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called the weather “an exceptional and dangerous situation,” especially as people travel to be with loved ones for Christmas.
Florida is expected to experience its coldest Christmas in 30 years.
The NWS described it as a “once in a generation” winter weather event, saying on Thursday that “life-threatening wind chills” would hit the East Coast on Friday.
Snow and strong winds are expected to cause damage and power outages in the Midwest and Canada.
The NWS has warned that more than 100 daily low temperature records could be broken or surpassed in the next few days.
More than 5,300 U.S. flights have already been canceled on Thursday and Friday, according to FlightAware, which tracks flights.
In anticipation of travel disruption, major airlines including United, Delta and American have offered to waive fees for travelers who want to reschedule their flights.
Roads along the Colorado-Wyoming border were closed Wednesday due to near-zero visibility.
On Thursday, travelers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport were forced to experience flight delays and cancellations
Is Vaseline good for frostbite?
Vaseline and other topical creams do not prevent frostbite and should not be used in this way. Return to play should be supervised by a sports medicine physician and may take several weeks or months, depending on the severity of the injury.
What is the fastest way to treat frostbite? How is Frostnip treated? This may interest you : [COLUMN] Let the music move you –.
- Remove all wet clothing. Wet clothes dissipate body heat.
- Place the cooled body parts in warm (not hot) water for 20 to 30 minutes until all sensation returns. …
- Do not use heating pads, stoves, fireplaces, or heaters to rewarm, as affected skin can become numb and easily burn.
What is the ointment for frostbite?
Iloprost is sometimes used to treat severe frostbite. It works by widening the blood vessels that supply blood to the affected part of the body. When severe frostbite threatens the loss of a limb, finger or foot, treatment with tPA or iloprost should be considered within 24 hours of the injury.
What do you put on skin after frostbite?
For superficial frostbite that has been rewarmed, some people find it soothing to apply aloe vera gel or lotion to the affected area several times a day. Run away from the cold and wind. See the article : Lifestyle is the key. Do not thaw or warm the affected area if it may freeze again. Remove wet clothes once you are indoors.
Can frostbite be left untreated?
With frostbite, body tissue freezes and permanent damage can occur if the affected area is not treated quickly. This may interest you : New high-tech mattresses ‘trick’ the body into falling asleep faster, researchers have found. In the most severe cases, amputation of parts of the body may be necessary.
Does Svalbard belong to Norway or Russia? The Svalbard archipelago (Old Norse: “Cold Coast”), part of Norway, located in the Arctic Ocean, north of the Arctic Circle. The islands lie between longitudes 10° and 35° east and latitudes 74° and 81° north, approximately 580 miles (930 km) north of Tromsø, Norway.
Does Russia claim Svalbard?
Svalbard, located halfway between Norway’s northern coast and the North Pole, is part of Norway, but Russia has the right to exploit the archipelago’s natural resources under a treaty signed in 1920, and some settlements in the archipelago are mainly inhabited by Russians.
Who governs Svalbard?
Although Svalbard belongs to the Kingdom of Norway, two settlements in the archipelago are mostly inhabited by Russians and Ukrainians.
Is Barentsburg part of Russia?
Barentsburg (Russian: ÐаÑенÑбÑÑг) is the second largest settlement in Svalbard, Norway, with a population of approximately 455 (2020). A mining town, the settlement consists almost entirely of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians.
How long does it take for skin to get frostbite?
When the temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit or below, it takes about 30 minutes for exposed skin to frostbite. At 15 degrees below zero and even a light breeze, frostbite is possible within 15 minutes.
What are the 3 stages of frostbite? The four stages of frostbite are: First stage: it irritates the skin and causes pain. Second degree: blisters, but no major damage. Third degree: involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage.
At what temperature does skin get frostbite?
Frostbite is skin and tissue damage caused by exposure to freezing temperatures – usually any temperature below -0.55°C (31°F). Frostbite can affect any part of the body, but the limbs, such as the hands, feet, ears, nose and mouth, are the most vulnerable.
What does Stage 1 frostbite look like?
In the early stages of frostbite, you will feel tingling, throbbing, or pain in the affected area. Your skin will become cold, numb and white, and you may feel a tingling sensation. This stage of frostbite is known as frostbite and often affects people who live or work in cold climates.
What part of body gets frostbite first?
Frostbite can affect any part of the body, but the limbs, such as the hands, feet, ears, nose and mouth, are the most vulnerable. Symptoms of frostbite usually start with a feeling of cold and pain in the affected parts.
What does stage 1 frostbite look like? Frostnip is the first stage of frostbite. It is very mild and does not irritate the skin. When you have frostbite, your skin will turn red and feel cold to the touch. If you stay in the cold, it may start to feel numb or prickly.
What early signs of frostbite do you know?
In the early stages of frostbite, you will feel tingling, throbbing, or pain in the affected area. Your skin will become cold, numb and white, and you may feel a tingling sensation. This stage of frostbite is known as frostbite and often affects people who live or work in cold climates.
Does frostbite happen immediately?
Frostbite can occur in 15 minutes or less with a wind chill of 18 below zero or below. Fingers and toes, earlobes and the tip of the nose are the most vulnerable parts of the body to frostbite.
