Yesterday it snowed for the first time this season in the Town of Taos! Fleeting as it was, temperatures remain frosty and snow is sticking at higher elevations. Overnight lows are forecasted to dip into single digits in some parts of the Forest later this week. This change in weather is a good reminder that recreating during winter weather conditions can pose its own challenges, including hypothermia.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can produce. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, resulting in hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.
To help prevent it, wear proper clothing in cold temperatures to protect your body, including layering your clothes. The outermost clothing layer should be wind-proof and water-resistant; inner layers should be wool or synthetics that are warm when wet. As you get hot and sweat, you can shed a layer or two and still feel comfortable.
For more information and tips, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/hypothermia
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up