Climate and Health: Winter Weather and Extreme Cold

Make a plan

Create a communication and disaster plan for your family before a winter storm hits.

Make an emergency supply kit

Assembling an emergency supply kit for your home and vehicle in winter can save your life if a severe winter storm or extreme cold event leaves you without power or stranded in a vehicle.

• Candles and matches
• Hand-cranked, battery-operated, or solar flashlight
• Hand-cranked or battery-operated radio
• Battery-powered clock or watch
• Portable battery charger for phone
• Fully charged cell phone in case of a power outage
• Extra batteries (for flashlights, radio, hearing aids, and cochlear implants)
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Extra clothing
• Electric space heater with automatic shut-off switch and non-glowing elements
• High-calorie, non-perishable food, such as granola bars
• Non-electric can opener
• First aid kit and instruction manual
• Multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher

Stockpile supplies

• Stock a three-day supply of non-perishable food items.
• Store one gallon of water per person for three days.
• Stock personal items like diapers, medications, etc.
• Stock a three-day supply of food and water for service animal or pets.

To stay safe and warm this winter, ensure your home is maintained and ready to weather the cold and snowy season.

Winterize your home

• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze.
• Seal cracks, caulk and weather-strip drafty doors and windows.
• Install storm windows and insulated doors.
• Install heating tape on your roof if you have problems with ice dams.
• Cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Repair roof leaks.
• Cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structures during a storm.

Assemble home maintenance items

• Prepare to heat your home during a power failure:
  • Dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stove
  • Kerosene for a kerosene heater
  • Furnace fuel (coal, propane, or oil)
• Never use a gas stove, charcoal or gas grill, or electric generator inside to heat your home as this may cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Prepare to use a snow shovel or snow blower and roof rake
• Secure sand for traction or a sidewalk deicer. (Calcium chloride is least harmful and has the lowest ice-melting point of -6°F.) Check with your local town or village, or provide sand to residents.

Have your chimney or flue inspected each year

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector or find one online.

Schedule a furnace checkup annually

Before the heating season arrives, have your furnace system and venting checked by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly. Be sure to change your furnace filters monthly.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
• If you plan to use a fireplace, outdoor wood boiler (wood stove), or kerosene heater, it's especially important to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors near the heated area.
• Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.

Keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home for older adults

If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in a visible indoor location. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age, so older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by extreme cold.

Wisconsin offers many free or low-cost services and incentives to help you keep your home warm, draft-free, and energy efficient.

These programs are available to lower income homeowners and renters:

• Wisconsin weatherization and heating assistance programs.
• Focus on Energy income qualified rebates for residential heating.

Focus on Energy also provides rebates for home energy efficiency and heating equipment for all households:

• Home efficiency rebates.
• Residential rebates for homeowners and renters.

If you own a vehicle, getting a service check-up before the snow falls is a good idea whenever possible. Stay off the roads when a winter storm is in the forecast and, if you must travel during a winter storm, try to plan ahead by:

• Keeping your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Maintaining high antifreeze levels and using wintertime windshield wiper fluid.
• Replacing worn tires and installing snow tires for optimal winter traction, if possible.
• Clearing snow and ice off the windshield and windows.
• Telling relatives and friends where you are going and when you expect to return. Contact them when you arrive at your destination and update them if your plans change. Make sure your contacts know your estimated arrival time, and ask them to contact the appropriate authorities on your behalf if they cannot reach you.

Before you leave, make a winter emergency kit and place it in the backseat of the vehicle in case the trunk freezes shut. The kit should include:

• Blankets/sleeping bags
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, hat, and face covering
• Flashlight with extra batteries or a hand crank flashlight (preferably with a mobile phone adapter)
• First-aid kit
• Utility knife
• Sack of sand (or cat litter) for traction
• Shovel
• Windshield scraper and brush and extra windshield wiper fluid
• Multi-purpose tool or a household tool box
• Tow rope
• Booster/jumper cables
• Drinking water
• Compass and paper road map
• Candle, tin can, matches
• Cell phone charger and extra battery pack
• Extra batteries if you have hearing aids or a cochlear implants
• High-calorie, non-perishable food (for example: granola bars) and water, including for a service animal or pet

If you are caught in your vehicle during a winter storm:

• Stay in your vehicle—it's easy to get disoriented windy, snowy, and cold conditions.
• Run the vehicle motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat only after ensuring that your exhaust pipe and radiator are not blocked by snow or other debris. Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Make yourself visible to rescuers. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine. Tie a bright colored cloth (preferably red) to your antenna or door. After the snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate trouble.
• To keep warm and blood circulating, exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers and toes.

Listen to weather forecasts regularly and check your emergency supplies, including your emergency food and water supply, whenever you are expecting a winter storm or extreme cold event. It's not always possible to predict extreme cold in advance, but weather forecasts can sometimes give you several days of notice to prepare.

When a winter storm or extreme cold warnings are issued, gather items you may need if the power goes out in your home. If you know of someone who may not be aware of weather warnings, such as a person with a hearing loss, help by sharing the information.

During a storm, you should stay inside. If you are using heat from a fireplace, wood stove or a space heater, be sure to use the appropriate fire safeguards and properly ventilate the device to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. If you lose heat in your home, close off rooms that are not in use. Be sure to eat and drink as food provides the energy your body needs to produce its own heat. Wear layers of loose-fitting clothing and remove layers when necessary to avoid overheating, perspiration, and subsequent chill.

When spending time outdoors, dress warmly and stay dry. Protect yourself by wearing loose layers of clothing underneath a wind- and water-resistant coat to reduce loss of body heat from the wind. Do not ignore shivering—it's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors. Look for symptoms of hypothermia: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, or slurred speech. Learn more about extreme cold on the DHS webpage: Cold Weather-Related Health and Safety Tips.

Check on neighbors and loved ones

Isolated people, older adults, and people with mobility issues, hearing loss, and other disabilities can be unaware of rapidly changing weather conditions. Check on them—as well as neighbors and loved ones—to ensure they are warm enough in their home and have needed supplies, food, and water. They may need extra help when cold temperatures become unsafe.

Bring your pets indoors

If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them as warm as possible and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

Check on livestock

Winter isn't only hard on you, but it's also harsh for your livestock! Learn more about planning for winter and keeping your livestock safe and healthy.

Traveling on icy or snow-covered roadways can be challenging, stressful, and hazardous. Following these simple guidelines can help you reach your destination safely.

Read more about winter road safety tips from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

• Winter driving
• Preparing your vehicle
• Safe winter driving tips
• Prepare an emergency kit
• In case you're stranded

Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature) is a dangerous condition that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures.

Stay safe this winter by learning more about the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite on the DHS Cold Weather-Related Health and Safety Tips webpage. Find out more about who's most at risk from cold-related illnesses and what to do if someone develops hypothermia or frostbite.

Slips, trips, and falls are the most common winter health hazards in Wisconsin. Snow-covered or icy sidewalks can be slippery, which can cause people to fall and injure themselves. To avoid falls, follow these tips:

• Promptly remove snow and ice from sidewalks after a snowfall to keep everyone safe. Many local governments have laws requiring snow removal from sidewalks within a designated period of time after the snow has stopped falling. Some also provide free salt to improve traction on icy sidewalks.
• Wear sturdy, rubber-soled boots and wearing traction devices on the bottom of shoes and boots can help prevent slips and falls.
• Walk like a penguin to stay upright on icy surfaces.

When you do go outside after a storm to clear the sidewalks, dress appropriately:

• Wear layers of windproof and waterproof clothing.
• Wear a hat, gloves, a face covering, and boots.
• Avoid wearing cotton as it takes a long time to dry and will sap your heat. Instead, wear synthetic fabrics that wick moisture from your skin and dry quickly.

To prevent injuries while shoveling, try:

• Pushing the snow with short strokes instead of lifting it.
• Using your leg muscles and not your lower back to move the shovel.
• Take frequent breaks and adjust your exertion level if you feel tired out.
• Take steps to stay safe during extreme cold snaps to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. View the DHS Cold Weather-Related Health and Safety Tips

Review the National Weather Service's winter weather definitions and criteria below. Remember to check the weather forecasts for the latest advisories, watches, and warnings before heading outdoors.

New 2024 forecasts combine previous cold and wind chill alerts into one extreme cold category

This winter, forecasts for unsafe cold and windy conditions will sound a little different as the National Weather Service (NWS) combines the previous “wind chill” and "cold" advisories, watches, and warnings into a single extreme cold category. The single simplified category recognizes the real dangers of extreme cold with or without high winds. The cold alerts will continue to provide critical information to all Wisconsinites so they can plan ahead to safeguard their health in cold weather.

The criteria for each alert category has also changed for certain locations in Wisconsin. However, they are still based on the Wind Chill Index, which is a measure of how cold people feel from the combined effect of wind and cold temperatures and how fast exposed skin loses heat.

Moving forward, NWS will issue cold weather advisories, extreme cold watches, and extreme cold warnings with the following location-based threshold criteria:

• Cold weather advisory—Be Aware. A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when cold air temperatures or wind chill conditions are expected or occurring. Dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.
  • Western to northern region thresholds: Wind chill or temperature of -25ºF in the next 12 to 24 hours.
  • Southern to Northeastern region thresholds: Wind chill or temperature of -20ºF in the next 12 to 24 hours.
• Extreme cold watch—Be Prepared. An Extreme Cold Watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill conditions are possible. Adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your vehicle has at least half a tank of gas and your winter survival kit is fully stocked.
  • Western to northern region thresholds: Wind chill or temperature of -35ºF is possible in the next 12 to 24 hours.
  • Southern to Northeastern region thresholds: Wind chill or temperature of -30ºF is possible in the next 12 to 24 hours.
• Extreme cold weather warning—Take Action! An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill levels are expected or occurring. Avoid going outside. If you must go out, wear warm, protective layers of clothing, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts.
  • Western to northern region thresholds: Wind chill or temperature of -35ºF is imminent in the next 12 to 36 hours.
  • Southern to Northeastern region thresholds: Wind chill or temperature of -30ºF is imminent in the next 12 to 36 hours.

Learn more about the new NWS cold weather alerts.

Other winter weather terms

Wind Chill Index—Wind chill is a measure of how cold people feel from the combined effects of wind and cold temperatures. The Wind Chill Index is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin. Both cold temperatures and wind remove heat from the body. As the wind speed increases during cold conditions, our bodies lose heat more quickly. Eventually, the internal body temperature also falls and hypothermia can develop. Animals also feel the effects of wind chill. For more information, view the National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart.

Winter storm watch—A watch is issued when there is a potential for a winter storm to affect the region with heavy sleet, heavy snow, ice storm, heavy snow, blowing snow, or a combination of hazards over the next one to three days. It does not always mean the area will experience a winter storm, there is still some uncertainty of the exact path or timing of the event. Use this time to ensure you have supplies at home.

Winter storm warning—A warning is issued when dangerous winter weather is expected, occurring, or imminent, and the weather can become life-threatening. Criteria includes six inches of snow or more in 12 hours, eight inches in 24 hours, or lower amounts if accompanied by strong winds or a combination of dangerous winter elements (snow, ice, sleet or blowing snow). Avoid unnecessary travel.

Blizzard warning—A blizzard warning is issued when snow or blowing snow lowers visibility to 0.25 miles or less, wind gusts hit 35 mph or higher, and the storm lasts for three hours or more. Travel is dangerous and should be avoided if possible.

Source: National Weather Service

Additional winter safety tips and resources

• Winter Activity Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers
• Cold Weather-Related Health and Safety Tips (Hypothermia)
• Carbon Monoxide Exposure
• Winter Safety Measures for Health Care Providers
• Wisconsin Winter Weather Toolkit, P-00652—General guidance for local and Tribal health agencies.