NWS Little Rock, AR - Text Viewer

ZCZC LITWRKPNS
TTAA00 KLIT 061200
ARZ003>008-012>017-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-062000-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
600 AM CST Fri Dec 6 2024

...Winter Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas...

December 1st through the 7th is Winter Weather Awareness Week 
in Arkansas. The purpose of this week is to remind people what
winter weather can bring, and how to deal with hazardous winter 
conditions. Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming winter 
season.

Today's topic is the cold of winter.

When Arkansans think of winter weather, usually a picture of 
falling snow and temperatures in the 20s and lower 30s comes to 
mind. However, winter weather can be not only dangerous, but 
possibly deadly in some cases.

Extreme cold is a worry, especially as ambient temperatures drop 
below zero, or the apparent temperature (wind chill) does the same 
due to breezy conditions. This winter, the National Weather Service
in Little Rock will issue a Cold Weather Advisory when temperatures 
and/or wind chill index values reach at least 0 degrees for several 
hours over a fairly large area. An Extreme Cold Warning will be 
posted when temperatures and/or wind chill index values drop to at 
least -15 degrees for at least an hour. There is more information 
about wind chill below.   

Winter storms are considered deceptive killers because most deaths 
are indirectly related to the storm itself. Traffic accidents on icy 
roads account for a vast majority of deaths. Heart attacks caused by 
people shoveling snow and hypothermia from prolonged exposure to the 
cold are also consequences of severe winter weather. 

An important factor this winter will be energy costs. Prices for 
natural gas and propane could cause some people to heat their homes 
inadequately in an effort to avoid large energy bills. If too little 
heat is used, hypothermia will become a greater threat than usual. 

In case of power outages, gasoline or diesel powered generators must 
not be used indoors. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, 
can build up in enclosed areas such as houses and garages and result 
in death. 

FROSTBITE

Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by that tissue being frozen. 
It causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in 
extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes or the tip of the nose. 
If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. If you must 
wait for help, begin to treat the affected area by warming it slowly. 

WIND CHILL

Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused 
by the combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat 
is carried away from the body, driving down the body temperature. 
Remember that animals are affected by wind chill as well. 

                     W I N D    C H I L L    C H A R T
--------------------------------------------------------------------
:WIND:                       TEMPERATURE                           :
--------------------------------------------------------------------
:CALM: 35   30   25   20   15   10    5     0   -5  -10   -15   -20:
:  5 : 31   25   19   13    7    1   -5   -11  -16  -22   -28   -34:
: 10 : 27   21   15    9    3   -4  -10   -16  -22  -28   -35   -41:
: 15 : 25   19   13    6    0   -7  -13   -19  -26  -32   -39   -45:
: 20 : 24   17   11    4   -2   -9  -15   -22  -29  -35   -42   -48:
: 25 : 23   16    9    3   -4  -11  -17   -24  -31  -37   -44   -51:
: 30 : 22   15    8    1   -5  -12  -19   -26  -33  -39   -46   -53:
: 35 : 21   14    7    0   -7  -14  -21   -27  -34  -41   -48   -55:
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The wind speed used in the wind chill formula is calculated for the 
average height of the human face, or about 5 feet above the ground. In 
contrast, wind in most weather observations in the United States is 
measured about 33 feet above the ground. The formula also uses updated 
heat transfer theory, which factors heat loss from the body to its 
surroundings during cold and windy conditions. In arriving at the 
formula, testing was actually done on people in a chilled wind tunnel. 
Sensors attached to the people measured heat loss from their bodies. 

At a wind chill of 18 degrees below zero, frostbite can develop on 
exposed skin within 30 minutes. 

An important thing to remember about wind chill is that it was 
designed to apply to living beings only. For example, a metal water 
pipe in air that is 35 degrees will attain a temperature of 35 degrees, 
as will the water inside. The wind may be blowing at 20 mph producing a 
wind chill of zero degrees, but the pipe and the water will remain at 
35 degrees. 

HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia is just a complicated word for lower-than-normal body 
temperature. Hypothermia can be brought on in many ways including 
exposure to periods of bitterly cold weather or immersion in cold lake 
or river water. Remember that hypothermia is the actual lowering of 
body temperature. Hypothermia is the most dangerous and life-threatening 
result of exposure to extremely cold air. 

Some of the warning signs associated with hypothermia are uncontrollable 
shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, 
drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. A good way to detect hypothermia is 
to take the persons temperature. If it is below 95 degrees fahrenheit, 
seek medical care immediately. 

If medical care is not available, begin warming the person slowly by 
warming the body core first with either your own body heat or warm dry 
clothes and blankets. Do not warm the extremities such as arms and legs 
first as this could push the cold blood toward the heart and can lead to 
heart failure. 

Issues such as hypothermia can be diminished by wearing the proper 
clothing when planning to be out in the cold weather for an extended time. 

Wear several layers of loose-fitting, light weight, warm clothing. If you 
become too warm, layers can be removed to avoid heat build-up and 
perspiration. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent 
and hooded. Try to keep your mouth covered to protect your lungs, and 
keep your hands in mittens, not gloves, to protect your fingers. Overall, 
the best rule is to try to stay dry. 

Finally, be sure to check on the elderly. High heating costs could cause 
some older people to set the thermostat too low, leading to hypothermia. 
Remember, elderly people often have more difficulty with their sense of 
warm and cold. 

&&

Please visit our web site at https://www.weather.gov/lzk

$$

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