Jefferson City, MO – As temperatures begin to drop across Missouri, state health officials are warning residents to take precautions against extreme cold, which poses serious risks including frostbite, hypothermia, and even death.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), there have been 631 cold-related deaths in the state since tracking began during the winter of 1979–1980. Infants, the elderly, and individuals without adequate heating are especially vulnerable.
Health experts warn that frostbite can occur when skin freezes, often affecting fingers, toes, and ears, while hypothermia sets in when body temperature drops below 95°F, causing confusion, uncontrollable shivering, and, in severe cases, death.
The National Weather Service notes that wind chill—caused by the combined effect of wind and temperature—can accelerate heat loss from the body, dramatically increasing risk. For instance, temperatures near 0°F with 20 mph winds can make it feel closer to -22°F, allowing frostbite to occur in as little as 30 minutes.
Record-setting lows in Missouri have reached -40°F in Warsaw (1905) and -29°F in Springfield (1899), highlighting the potential severity of winter cold in the region.
Officials advise dressing in layers, limiting time outdoors, and checking on elderly or at-risk neighbors during cold snaps.
For safety tips and cold-weather resources, visit health.mo.gov or the DHSS Hypothermia website.
