Frostbite versus hypothermia

Frigid weather is plunging down into the central and eastern portions of the country this week, with freezing temperatures likely in the Deep South. Despite December-like conditions in this part of the country, climatologist Cliff Harris and I don’t see extremely cold temperatures across the Inland Northwest in the immediate future.

The last time Coeur d’Alene’s temperature fell below the zero mark was Feb. 11, 2025, with a frigid minus 6 degrees. The following morning, Feb. 12, low temperatures were at minus 2 degrees with a 0-degree reading Feb. 13. At the Spokane International Airport, low temperatures dipped to minus 2 degrees Feb. 12 and 13. If Coeur d’Alene and other locations in the lower elevations were to have readings below the zero mark, the best chance would be around the full moon cycle beginning in early January.

By the way, the lowest temperature ever observed in Coeur d’Alene was minus 30 degrees Jan. 30, 1950. In Idaho, the all-time record low was set in Orofino with a reading of minus 60 degrees set Jan. 18, 1943.

Spokane’s lowest reading was a frigid minus 30 degrees Feb. 2, 1996. The lowest temperature in Washington ever recorded was minus 48 degrees at Mazama and Winthrop on Dec. 30, 1968. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was minus 128.6 degrees at Vostok Station, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983.

With a cooler La Niña sea-surface temperature pattern in the south-central Pacific Ocean, the chances are higher for a day, or a series of days with below-zero temperatures in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding regions.

In 2024, despite a strong El Niño pattern, the mid-January period with extremely frigid across the Inland Northwest. On Jan. 12, the low in Coeur d’Alene was minus 5 degrees, but the following morning, it was an extremely cold minus 17 degrees. Low temperatures remained below zero Jan. 14 and 15 with lows of minus 5 and minus 7, respectively. Single-digit temperatures were felt the following three mornings before lows began to moderate.

As we head toward the winter season, keep in mind that the wintry-type air is drier and can cause dry skin or chapped lips. When the air temperature falls below 32 degrees, blood vessels close to the skin begin to narrow to preserve the body’s temperature. When one is exposed to cold weather for an extended period of time, the blood flow in some areas of the body is usually reduced to dangerously low levels. The combination of cold and poor blood flow will usually cause severe tissue injury.

Frostbite is a condition that affects the skin. When experiencing frostbite, the hands become numb, the earlobes burn and there’s also numbness in one’s feet and face. There is constant shivering, and speech becomes slurred and sometimes incoherent. One stumbles while walking or possibly can’t even get to their feet. One can seem totally exhausted and drowsy.

When an individual exhibits these signs, which may be quite dangerous, immediately get them to a warmer place. Give them something warm to drink, but nothing alcoholic like whiskey or rum. Elevate their legs so that blood runs back toward the head. If this doesn’t work, see a doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Exposed body tissue, especially fingers, toes, earlobes and the tip of one’s nose, may be frozen, especially if these areas appear white or pale.

Prolonged exposure to cold can also lead to hypothermia and is more serious than frostbite. This condition occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing the core temperature to drop below 95 degrees. This condition is a serious medical emergency that can affect the brain, heart and other vital organs. Hypothermia often develops in cold environments, such as during exposure to freezing weather, immersion in cold water or prolonged time in wet and windy conditions without adequate clothing or shelter.

Early symptoms include intense shivering, fatigue, slurred speech and confusion. As hypothermia progresses, shivering may stop, coordination worsens and the person may become disoriented or unconscious. In severe cases, the heart rate and breathing slow dramatically, leading to cardiac arrest if untreated.

Immediate first aid involves moving the person to a warm, dry place, removing wet clothing and gradually warming the body with blankets or skin-to-skin contact. Direct heat sources, such as hot water or heating pads, should be avoided because they can cause shock or burns. Warm, sweet fluids can help if the person is conscious. Medical attention is essential to stabilize body temperature and prevent complications.

As far as our local weather is concerned, more showers are expected across the region as a series of storms is expected to move through the region. Milder air from the south is expected to bring more rain than snow. However, there may be some snow late this week as colder air begins to mix in. By the end of next week, or the following week, the long-range computer models are indicating an increased chance of measurable snow in the lower elevations as the upper-level flow comes more from the northwest. Stay tuned.

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Contact Randy Mann at [email protected].