Arctic Blast to Hit Boston

First the bad news: an Arctic front is expected to arrive tomorrow, bringing Boston its first dangerous cold snap of the season. Temperatures are predicted to go down to 5 degrees Thursday night (with a daytime high of 25) and as low as zero on Friday.

The National Weather Service warns that the cold temperatures will be accompanied by strong winds: the wind chill factor could make it feel as cold as 15 to 25 below zero tomorrow and Friday. Wind gusts may reach 45 miles per hour.

Now the good news: the dangerous cold snap will be short-lived: temperatures are expected to climb back to a high of 40 on Saturday and nearly 50 on Sunday.

But in the meantime, BU staff and students, especially students unaccustomed to a cold climate, should review the cold weather precautions listed on the city of Boston safety web page. Most important is dressing for the severe cold: wear several layers of warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Be sure that your outer layer is tightly woven and windproof. Cover all exposed skin and watch for frostbite (freezing of the skin and underlying tissues). In extreme cold, frostbite can happen in less than a minute, and wind makes the risk that much greater.

The symptoms of frostbite include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, earlobes, and the tip of the nose. Anyone with these symptoms should contact Student Health Services at 617-353-3575. Among the signs of hypothermia (a dangerously low body temperature) are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If you or someone you know shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Severe cold can take a toll on buildings as well as people, warns Thomas Daley, associate vice president for Facilities Management & Planning (FMP). “Our buildings all have heating/cooling, fire sprinkler, and lab cooling systems that can easily freeze up when subjected to subfreezing temperatures. We have had doors that do not close all the way because of snow and ice, windows in offices that are left open, and dorm room windows that are opened to let in a breath of fresh air and never closed.” Close the windows and keep them closed, he says.

Daley says that this week’s Arctic blast should serve to remind students, faculty, and staff to properly seal dorm rooms, apartments, and offices before they leave for intersession next week.

“When you add high winds to the mix, disaster can result,” he says. Wind can drive cold air several feet into a space, quickly freezing waterlines, which can rupture and result in flooding. This can be prevented by making sure that all of your spaces are completely buttoned up when you leave the room or building, he says, adding that “if you see open windows and doors during extreme temperatures, report them to the FMP emergency line at 617-353-2105. Close up your coats, windows, and doors and keep yourselves and your spaces warm.”

If you live in an apartment-style residence and your apartment is chilly, to do not try to stay warm by turning the oven on and opening the oven door under any circumstances. Space heaters are prohibited for fire safety reasons.

Other tips for cold weather safety:

• Be aware of extreme weather conditions by continuously monitoring media reports.
• In addition to dressing in layers, with a tightly woven and water-repellent outer garment, protect your extremities by wearing a hat (most body heat is lost through the top of the head), mittens (better than gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
• Make sure you always have a well-stocked winter home emergency kit that includes flashlights, a portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, nonperishable food, and a manual can opener. Do not use candles.

When using alternate heating sources, such as a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and make sure that everyone knows how to use it properly. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to make sure they are in working order.

• If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets.
• Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly relatives and friends who may need assistance to make sure they’re safe.
• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is far from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze. Be sure you know how to shut off your water supply should a pipe burst.
• Drink noncaffeinated fluids. Dehydration occurs more quickly in cold, dry weather. Be sure to keep hydrated, especially if you are exerting yourself.
• Don’t drink alcohol. Alcohol can speed the onset, and worsen the effects, of hypothermia.
• Make sure your car is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least half full. Store in your car emergency blankets, extra clothing, a flashlight with spare batteries, nonperishable foods, a windshield scraper, a shovel, sand, a towrope, and jumper cables.
• Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel.

Find additional information about winter preparedness here.

This story was originally published by BU Today on 12/14/16.