Weather
Iowa Winter 2026/27 Safety: 2 Dangerous Cold Conditions to Watch For
Des Moines, IA – As Iowa prepares for another winter season, residents across Des Moines,…
By Cole Barrett · 2026-11-04T16:51:03.726Z
Des Moines, IA – As Iowa prepares for another winter season, residents across Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City and communities throughout the Hawkeye State are being reminded of two potentially life threatening cold weather conditions: frostbite and hypothermia. Although both develop from exposure to cold, they affect the body differently and require prompt attention when symptoms appear.
According to the National Weather Service, wearing multiple layers, covering exposed skin and limiting outdoor exposure are important precautions during cold weather. Strong winds, wet clothing and prolonged exposure can accelerate heat loss, increasing the risk of serious injury.
Frostbite vs. Hypothermia: What's the Difference?
Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze, most commonly affecting fingers, toes, ears, noses and other exposed body parts.
Warning signs include numbness, tingling, unusual skin discoloration and skin that feels hard or waxy. Severe frostbite can cause permanent tissue damage.
Hypothermia, meanwhile, develops when the body's core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, confusion, slurred speech, extreme fatigue and poor coordination. In severe cases, shivering may stop, signaling a life threatening emergency.
Why Iowa Residents Should Pay Attention
Iowa's open farmland and exposed rural highways can leave residents vulnerable to strong winter winds and dangerous wind chills.
Northern Iowa communities, including Mason City and Decorah, frequently experience prolonged freezing conditions, while Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport can also face dangerous cold during Arctic air outbreaks.
Hypothermia can develop even above freezing when cold rain, wind or wet clothing cause prolonged heat loss.
What Should Residents Do?
For suspected hypothermia, call 911, move the person indoors, remove wet clothing and wrap them in dry blankets while awaiting emergency assistance.
For suspected frostbite, avoid rubbing affected skin or applying direct heat. Seek medical attention promptly.
Residents should also check on older adults, protect pets and carry emergency supplies when traveling during winter weather.
The critical difference: Frostbite freezes and damages body tissue, while hypothermia dangerously lowers internal body temperature. Both conditions can occur simultaneously.