Baby, it’s cold outside — a Siberian airmass is bringing extreme cold to Southeast Missouri this Thursday, and the Butler County Emergency Management Agency urges everyone to stay inside.
Veteran storm spotter Craig Meador said the cold will arrive suddenly Thursday night, bringing flash freezing and wind chills as low as 20 below. The extreme cold will not break until Christmas Day when the low temperature goes from single digits to approximately 16 degrees.
“This is a Siberian airmass, that’s how far north it’s coming (from)...And it’s probably going to be one like we haven’t seen in many years. Extreme cold — I mean, bitter, bitter cold, blustery conditions,” said Meador. He elaborated, “You’re looking at probably zero to two below as far as the air temperature itself. Then you add in wind gusts of 40 miles per hour and you’re looking at 20 below.”
Highs will be in the teens until Saturday.
Snow may accumulate Thursday night — the amount is uncertain — but the Missouri State Highway Patrol said there exists potential for blowing snow and white-out conditions. The most certain danger will be precipitation flash freezing and forming black ice on roads.
“It’s going to almost be like flipping a light switch. It’s going to go from 45 degrees Thursday afternoon to zero Thursday night,” Meador said, which will turn any moisture on the ground into ice.
“It’s going to almost be like flipping a light switch. It’s going to go from 45 degrees Thursday afternoon to zero Thursday night,” Meador said, which will turn any moisture on the ground into ice.
EMA Director Robbie Myers cautioned the best way to avoid ice, hypothermia and frostbite is to stay dry, stay inside, and avoid traveling.
“With this anticipated coming in Thursday afternoon, we’re encouraging those that can go finish their shopping to go ahead and do that,” he said. For last-minute gifts, he recommended buying gift certificates to local businesses online through the Poplar Bluff Chamber’s Facebook page or getting items delivered from vendors.
Meador and Myers both urged people to care for their elderly neighbors and outdoor pets during this time.
Venturing outside in the arctic conditions exposes people to hypothermia and frostbite. Frostbite can occur on any skin or improperly insulated extremities like the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency stated in a press release, “The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.”
Hypothermia results from the body losing heat faster than it can be produced and is particularly dangerous if the person gets wet. Warning signs of hypothermia are uncontrollable shivering, a glassy stare, apathy and impaired judgment, muscle weakness, drowsiness, slow or slurred speech, exhaustion and loss of consciousness.
For those who absolutely must be on the road, a car safety kit should include traction aids like sand, an ice scraper, a first aid kit, water and food, a car charger for mobile phones and warm clothing and outerwear
Anyone going out should wear layers of loose-fitting clothing under a wind- and water-resistant coat and boots. The mouth and nose should be covered with a scarf or knit mask, and gloves or mittens are essential. Paradoxically, a person who feels too warm should remove extra layers. This prevents sweating, which chills the body and increases the risk of hypothermia.
“Do not ignore shivering,” FEMA stated. “It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.”
The State Fire Marshal’s office advised common sense when using space heaters or fireplaces. Heaters cause around a third of home heating fires every year and account for 80% of the deaths resulting from them. Homeowners should turn off portable heaters whenever leaving the room or going to bed, keep children and flammable materials at least three feet away from the heater, and never run outdoor propane heaters or generators indoors. The State Fire Marshall also urged people not to overload extension cords or outlets, since many extension cords and power strips are not designed to handle the load of an electric heater, and never to place cords under a rug. Finally, never heat a space with an oven or other cooking device, and ensure all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working.
Poplar Bluff churches and other entities open warming centers during severe winter weather. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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