Last week, a frozen chill swept through the eastern U.S. Although some people wondered where it came from, the biggest concern was how to stay warm.
Why is it so cold?
On Jan. 20, CBS News published “Chicago is, currently, colder than Antarctica,” while cold weather advisories were being released across the country. Although January is considered Antarctica's "summer time,” the region stays between a cool 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit during this season. The day the article was published, Chicago reported wind chills as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
About 700 miles away, the presidential inauguration was moved inside due to dangerously cold temperatures. Across the rest of the east coast, millions of people faced the unbearable cold.
The cold weather that has everyone abuzz is thanks to a phenomena known as the polar vortex.
The polar vortex, usually contained to the North pole, has drifted South and right into the eastern coast of the U.S. The typically stable phenomenon is disrupted every few years by rogue northern winds.
Scientists suspect climate change may cause the vortex to become less stable over time. If this is the case, U.S. residents can expect future winters to be as cold, or colder, than this.
How does the cold affect us?
As U.S. residents go about their daily lives marching through the cold temperatures, many people may wonder how this freezing temperature is affecting everyone and their surroundings.
Physically, the body’s blood vessels constrict to conserve heat and the muscles tense, which causes shivering. Joints tend to stiffen and immune system responses are slowed.
Mentally, the cold can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder — a kind of depression caused by lack of sun and warm weather — and even impair concentration. People who face mood shifts as a result of the cold weather find themselves facing a decrease in motivation and energy.
Generally, the cold makes people more accident prone. Ice and snow makes roads and sidewalks slippery and dangerous. All of the effects of cold give even more reason to stay warm in the face of chilly temperatures.
Staying warm
The big question of the season is how to stay warm in lieu of the frigid temperatures. At risk of repeating parents everywhere, wearing the right winter clothing can have a massive effect on staying warm.
Hats, gloves, thick socks and warm boots all work together to keep extremities warm. Although it is a myth that the most heat escapes from the head (it’s actually the body), wearing a hat can prevent the body from shivering.
Covering the rest of your body traps heat against the body and warms up your hands and feet. Wearing a skin tight layer beneath your other clothes, or many thin layers, also assists in keeping your body warm.
One of the best ways to stay warm, even if bundled up in winter clothing, is to stay active while outside. Muscles exert energy when you work out and warm up the rest of the body. However, cold temperatures may impact performance levels.
Fortunately, we’re beginning to thaw. Temperatures in the next few weeks will be a comparably balmy 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit through Southeast Ohio. In the meantime, find ways to stay warm while remaining cool and collected.
