Winter Weather Advisory: Record Cold Temperatures To Hit New York

Albany, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today urged all New Yorkers to exercise caution with winter storm conditions – including some wind chills well below zero – impacting communities across the state.

According to the National Weather Service, some areas of the state may experience their coldest temperatures in generations.

The agency notes that temperatures at LaGuardia Airport in Queens may drop to their lowest since 1943, and Central Park may experience its lowest temperature since 1888.

“New Yorkers should take every appropriate precaution as subzero temperatures and blizzard-like conditions hit the State this weekend,” Governor Cuomo said. “This weather can be extremely dangerous for everyone from children to the elderly, so I encourage people to stay indoors whenever possible and stay safe.”

The New York State Department has 1,444 plows, 3,629 operators and supervisors, and 260,000 tons of road salt available statewide for this weekend’s storm. In addition, the Department has supplemented its Long Island crews with 21 plows and 6 loaders from contractors. Towing contractors are also being deployed on Long Island to clear any cars that become stuck on State highways.

The New York State Thruway Authority has a total of 337 large and medium sized snow plows, 555 snow plow operators, 55 front-end loaders and 94,469 tons of salt deployed across New York State for storm response. The Thruway will continuously monitor the storm as it develops and is prepared to shift resources accordingly.

The American Red Cross Response Center for Public Information can be reached at 1-800-733-2767. The National Grid NY Electric Outage reporting number is 1-800-867-5222. Contact information for individual utilities can be found at the bottom of this release.

Winter Weather Advisory: Bronx, Kings, New York, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, and Westchester County until Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Winter Weather Advisory: Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Putnam County until Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Wind Advisory: Bronx, Kings, New York, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Putnam County until Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

A wind chill warning is issued when the wind chill index is likely to fall to -25 degrees or colder for at least three hours. A wind chill index below -30 can bring about frostbite in as little as 10 minutes. Outdoor exposure should be limited. If you are heading outdoors, dress in layers and keep your hands and head covered to protect against frostbite

A wind chill warning means the combination of very cold air and strong winds will create dangerously low wind chill values. This will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia or death if precautions are not taken.

Safety tips:

To avoid frostbite, stay inside during severe cold. If you must go out, try to cover every part of your body: ears, nose, toes and fingers, etc. Mittens are better than gloves. Keep your skin dry. Stay out of the wind when possible. Drink plenty of fluids since hydration increases the blood’s volume, which helps prevent frostbite. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, preventing warming of your extremities. Alcohol reduces shivering, which helps keep you warm. Cigarette use shuts off the blood flow to your hands.

Degrees of Frostbite
– First degree: ice crystals forming on your skin
– Second degree: Skin begins to feel warm, even though it is not yet defrosted.
– Third degree: Skin turns red, pale or white.
– Fourth degree: Pain lasts for more than a few hours and skin may develop dark blue or black. See a doctor immediately if these symptoms arise. Gangrene is a real threat.

Frostbite First Aid
Until you can get indoors:
– Don’t rub or massage cold body parts.
– Put your hands in your armpits.
– Hold onto another person or animal.
– Drink warm liquids.
– Put on extra layers of clothes, blankets, etc.
– Remove rings, watches, and anything tight.

Once Indoors
– Don’t walk on a frostbitten foot. You could cause more damage.
– Get in a warm, NOT hot, bath and wrap your face and ears in a moist, warm, NOT hot, towel.
– Don’t get near a hot stove or heater or use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or a hair dryer. You may burn yourself before feeling returns.
– Frostbitten skin will become red and swollen and feel like it’s on fire. You may develop blisters. Don’t break the blisters. It could cause scarring.
– If your skin turns blue or gray, is very swollen, blistered or feels hard and numb even under the surface, go to a hospital immediately.

Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, especially in children and the elderly. Watch for the following symptoms: inability to concentrate, poor coordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion, and/or uncontrollable shivering, following by a sudden lack of shivering. If a person’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, get emergency medical assistance immediately. Remove wet clothing, wrap the victim in warm blankets, and give warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated liquids until help arrives.

Prevent pipes from freezing by turning on both hot and cold water faucets slightly, preferably in a basement sink – running water will not freeze as quickly. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to non-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall. If you plan to leave your residence, drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).

If your pipes burst, make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water. Stopping water flow minimizes damage to your home. Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent. Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.