Fair / 16° F
30 below windchills! Beware!
Published 12:00pm Thursday, December 31, 2009Those ringing in the new year tonight can expect wind chill temperatures as low as 25 degrees below zero.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), midnight temperatures are expected to reach 6 degrees below zero. That, paired with winds of 10 mph, will lead to wind chills of 20 to 25 below zero.
“You definitely want to be prepared for this,” said NWS meteorologist Dan Riddle. “Strange things can happen on New Year’s Eve.”
Conditions won’t be much better by New Year’s Day morning, with wind chill temperatures expected to drop to 30 degrees below zero, according to the NWS.
“We’ll be right around the advisory range for the overnight hours and into the first part of tomorrow,” Riddle said.
With many expected to be out gallivanting on New Year’s Eve, health officials are encouraging people to make smart choices.
“You have to be very aware of the temperatures and plan ahead,” said Bonnie LaPlante, Director of Nursing for the Fergus Falls Medical Group. “Have warm clothing in your car and wear warm clothing when you’re out — cover up skin areas.”
Those consuming alcohol are advised to be especially careful, as alcohol causes the blood to lose heat quickly, according to LaPlante.
Frostbite typically affects the toes, fingers, earlobes, nose and chin. Signs of frostbite typically include swelling, numbness, white spots and loss of function. LaPlante encourages anyone experiences such symptoms to seek medical attention.
“They can freeze very, very quickly,” LaPlante said.
Law Enforcement officials say it’s important to have a charged cell phone on hand and let others know where you are at all times.
“We tell people not to be exposed too long,” said Sgt. Barry Fitzgibbons. “It will be deadly.”
