Heading outside during this winter storm? You have 30 minutes or less
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Arctic air and strong winds have dropped the time for frostbite to only 30 minutes.
Wind gusts will remain near 50 mph through the day Saturday. Strong winds combined with temperatures in the teens will increase the frostbite potential to exposed skin.
Winter Storm Warning in effect for Portland metro as snow, ice, dangerous cold hits region
Dressing in layers, protecting ears, nose, and extremities will be key to anyone spending any amount of time outdoors on Saturday.
A reminder, feel-like temperatures and wind chill values are the impacts the wind has on the body’s core temperature. Wind removes the insulated layer of heat surrounding the body, making it feel much colder than the actual air temperature. The only objects that can feel the wind chill value are the ones that produce heat, like humans and animals.
Winds will start to slow during the overnight hours Saturday and into Sunday morning. The calmer winds will help decrease the frostbite potential and help warm feel-like temperatures. However, Portland is expected to sit under freezing conditions for a total of 86 hours during this arctic blast.
Shelter situation
Multnomah County is doubling its shelter capacity during the storm, along with distributing supplies such as clothes, hats, gloves, tents, sleeping bags. But they need volunteers.
People who use drugs or alcohol are even more susceptible to these bitter winter winds and temps.
Blanchet House prepared meals before the storm but it needs power to warm them. But if they lose power, Blanchet House is prepared with sack lunches.
“We have food that doesn’t have to be cooked,” said Scott Kerman. “We won’t have coffee but we will be able to get people something to eat.”
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this weather storm continues.
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