Extreme Cold
Cold temperatures do impact Southern Florida. The
elderly and people with medical conditions, such
as diabetes,
are especially at risk to extreme temperatures and
cannot tolerate too much cold. Cold weather can
become a danger to those who are not physically prepared
or sheltered adequately. Also, cold weather promotes
use of portable heating devices, which if used improperly
can cause fires and toxic fumes relating to serious
injury and/or death.
Cold Weather Safety Tips
- Stay indoors and use safe heating sources.
- When indoors, be aware of the fire danger from
space heaters and candles, keep such devices
away from all flammable materials such as curtains
and
furniture, and install recommended smoke and
carbon monoxide detectors.
- When outdoors, stay dry and in wind-protected
areas; wear layers of loose-fitting, warm clothing.
- Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and eat
high-calorie foods.
Cold Weather Terminology
- A Freeze occurs when surface
air temperature is
below freezing (32° F) over a widespread
area for a significant period of time. Freeze
is a term used for the condition when these
low air temperatures injure vegetation, regardless
if frost is deposited.
- Frost is a cover of ice crystals
produced by deposition of atmospheric water directly
on a
surface at or
below freezing.
- A Freeze Warning is issued
by the National Weather Service to make agricultural
interests and the
public aware of anticipated freeze conditions
over a large area.
- A Hard Freeze Warning is
issued by the National Weather Service to make
agricultural interests
and the
public aware of anticipated freeze conditions
that are of a four-hour duration or greater,
below 28° F,
and over a large area.
- Wind Chill
Factor is the cooling effect of
any combination of temperature and wind,
expressed
as the loss of body heat. Also called wind-chill
index.
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