Weather
Northern California Winter Weather Awareness Week Oct 25-31: How Cold Is Too Cold?
Sacramento, CA – Could a short walk outdoors, a mountain hike or a few minutes waiting beside a stranded vehicle be enough to cause frostbite? As Winter Weather Awareness Week continues Monday, Octobe
By Grant Holloway · 2026-10-26T10:37:35.481Z
Sacramento, CA – Could a short walk outdoors, a mountain hike or a few minutes waiting beside a stranded vehicle be enough to cause frostbite? As Winter Weather Awareness Week continues Monday, October 26, California residents are being reminded that freezing temperatures and strong winds can create serious health risks, particularly in mountain communities.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , wind chill describes how cold the air feels on exposed skin when air temperature and wind speed are combined. Wind removes heat from the body faster, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
For example, when the air temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and winds reach 20 mph, the wind chill is approximately 22 degrees below zero.
How Quickly Can Frostbite Develop? NWS guidance indicates exposed skin may develop frostbite in approximately 30 minutes at wind chills near 20 degrees below zero. At substantially lower wind chills, frostbite can develop in 10 minutes or less.
These are approximate estimates, not guaranteed exposure times.
Frostbite warning signs include numbness and pale or waxy looking skin. Hypothermia can cause shivering, confusion, slurred speech and unusual drowsiness. Suspected hypothermia requires urgent medical attention.
What's the Difference Between an Extreme Cold Watch and Warning? An Extreme Cold Watch means dangerously cold conditions are possible. Residents should prepare and monitor forecasts.
An Extreme Cold Warning means dangerously cold conditions are expected or occurring. Residents should limit outdoor exposure and take protective precautions.
Wind chill does not make cars, pipes or other objects colder than the actual air temperature, although wind can make them cool toward that temperature faster.
How Can California Residents Stay Safe? Before extreme cold arrives:
Cover exposed skin: Wear insulated gloves, hats, scarves, face coverings and wind resistant outerwear. Dress in layers: Keep clothing warm and dry, replacing wet garments promptly. Limit exposure: Take indoor warming breaks and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during extreme cold warnings. Prepare supplies: Keep blankets, medications, food, water, flashlights and charged phones available. Stock vehicles: Carry extra clothing, blankets, a phone charger, flashlight and winter emergency kit. Never operate generators, grills or outdoor fuel burning heaters inside homes or garages because of deadly carbon monoxide risks.
Why It Matters Across California From Sacramento and Sacramento County to San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Redding, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes and Mount Shasta, cold weather risks vary widely across the state.
The Sierra Nevada, including Placer, Nevada, El Dorado, Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties, can experience extremely cold temperatures and powerful winds at higher elevations.
Communities around Lake Tahoe, including Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, may face dangerous wind chills during severe winter storms and Arctic outbreaks.
Farther north, the Mount Shasta region and Modoc Plateau can experience bitter cold and exposed winter conditions.
In Southern California, higher elevations near Big Bear Lake, Wrightwood and Mount Baldy can also become dangerously cold, even when nearby coastal cities remain relatively mild.
Travelers along Interstate 80, Interstate 5, U.S. Highway 50, U.S. Highway 395 and State Route 89 should carry winter emergency supplies when traveling through mountain regions.
As Winter Weather Awareness Week continues through Saturday, October 31, residents are encouraged to review emergency supplies, check on vulnerable neighbors and monitor official NWS forecasts.
Remember: Wind chill doesn't change the air temperature. It changes how quickly your body loses heat — and how quickly exposed skin can become injured.