Digital News Report- A deep freeze has spread across New England and much of the Midwest with temperatures reaching -50F in some areas. The weather has already been blamed for six deaths. According to weather.com, snow is expected to hit the region soon with up to two feet in some areas. A few lucky areas will see temperatures reach the low 30’s. The freezing temperatures are expected to last for several days.
Washington D.C. can expect to be chilly on Inauguration Day. Bad weather may have led to the death of President William Henry Harrison after he delivered the longest inauguration speech in history in extremely cold and wet weather without his coat. However, Obama’s inauguration is already looking to have slightly better weather. Though the high for the day is predicted to be around 31F, the skies will be partly cloudy with no rain or snow predicted. If you plan on attending, just remember your coat.
The National Weather Service has offered the following guidelines for keeping warm:
- Dress in several layers of loose-fitting clothing to create pockets of insulating warm air.
- Wear wool or fleece fabrics, not cotton, as it dries slowly; warm socks with a thermal sock liner; comfortable closed shoes; a scarf, hat and earmuffs to prevent loss of body heat; a water-repellent, hooded outer garment to add extra protection; and mittens instead of gloves to keep hands warm.
- Walk around or move in place to increase circulation and generate additional body heat.
- Drink warm beverages.
- Do not drink alcohol, as it will cause a loss of body heat by dilating blood vessels.
- Seek shelter indoors periodically to warm up.
- Take extra precautions with the elderly and very young, as they are most at-risk
The Weather Service also offers these cold weather dangers and warning signs:
- Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by exposure to extreme cold. Warning signs include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes or the tip of the nose.
- Hypothermia is a potentially fatal condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95 degrees F. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.
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