Frigid LI Wind Chills Of Up To -20 Sparks Urgent Hypothermia Warning

LONG ISLAND, NY — With a dangerously frigid cold front blanketing Long Island Friday into Saturday, experts are urging people to take precautions to prevent hypothermia.

John Murray, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, said wind chill advisories have expanded: A wind chill advisory has now been issued for eastern Suffolk, with wind chills possibly plunging to between 15 and 20 degrees below 0, from 5 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday.

A special weather statement has been issued for the rest of Long Island, with wind chills ranging from 5 to 14 degrees below 0.

Wind gusts are expected to range from 35 to 40 miles per hour, with some isolated areas seeing wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour during that time frame, Murray said.

Actual temperatures are expected to reach the mid 20s to about 30 Friday but, due to the Arctic cold front, drop during the day Friday.

"That's not typical," Murray said. "Temperatures usually rise during the day because of the sun, but as the gusty northwest winds bring in much colder air, temperatures will drop to the lower 20s and then to the upper teens by the end of the afternoon."

Friday night, temperatures will plunge to the single digits, between 3 and 9 degrees, rising again to the lower teens Saturday morning with a daily high in the low 20s.

Wind chills Saturday will still make it feel as though the temperature is in the single digits, Murray said.

"Stay warm out there," Murray said. "If you must venture out, wear a heavy coat and layers, and cover your ears and any exposed extremities."

People were urged to take precautions.

"Considering how warm it's been, many are not acclimated to such cold temps — and wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken — especially in areas of eastern Suffolk," he said.

Frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, Murray said.

Luis Carlos Zapata, MD at NYU Langone Hospital — Long Island offered some tips on how to protect against hypothermia.

Hypothermia, he said, is "dangerously low" body temperature of less than 95 degrees.

"In moderate or severe cases, hypothermia can result in impaired mental status, cardiac arrest, and even death. Cold temperature is known to trigger asthma attacks and can increase the chance of having a heart attack, especially if you have a history of heart disease," Zapata said.

For those who need to be outside, it is important to dress in multiple layers of dry clothing. It is also a good idea to wear a winter hat or head scarf since a lot of heat is lost through the head, he said. People should cover their ears, noses, hands and feet to decrease the risk of frostbite, he said.

"Windy conditions will increase the risk hypothermia and frostbite," Zapata added.

In addition, Zapata said, older adults are at increased risk of developing hypothermia because many of them are on medications and have medical conditions that make it easier for them to lose heat.

"It is important to check on your elderly friends and family during the frigid cold to make sure they are okay," he said.

The NWS also created a graphic to help illustrate how to stay warm and prevent hypothermia.

The blast of cold air will move quickly through the region, with temperatures of up to 40 degrees expected Sunday. No precipitation is expected.