Chilling gales are sweeping across the United States, potentially affecting your loved ones, although they do not impact us directly. These arctic conditions are causing flight delays, have led to the postponement of the 2024 Presidential Campaign, and the conditions pose a threat to people’s health.
Beyond just freezing temperatures, these winds can also pose serious health problems. One health concern associated with the winds is the risk of frostbite. Frostbite is when the skin and the tissue under the skin freeze. The bone-chilling cold, combined with the wind, increases the likelihood of frostbite. While being indoors can provide some relief from the cold, individuals who are homeless have to endure these temperatures on their own if they can’t find shelter. The risk for hypothermia is also high as our bodies struggle to regulate temperatures. Hypothermia is when your body is losing heat faster than it can make heat, resulting in failure of organs. Regrettably, the winds have claimed over 90 lives across the United States.
While the winds may not directly impact us, they could pose a threat to your loved ones, especially if they reside in the affected states. The states affected include Okllahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. The threats include hypothermia and frostbite. The cold air is a consequence of the polar vortex, which expands during winter and sometimes sends cold air south. Disruptions in the polar vortex can exacerbate this, carrying the cold air much farther.
The frigid temperatures present a significant problem in the United States. Understanding what can cause these temperature drops is crucial for preparation, and awareness of the associated health concerns is vital for ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones.