Weather
Texas Winter Weather Awareness Week Oct 25-31: Frostbite in Minutes?
Austin, TX – Could a short walk to work, a wait at a Dallas bus stop or just a few minutes outdoors during extreme cold be enough to cause frostbite? As Winter Weather Awareness Week continues Monday,
By Caleb Mercer · 2026-10-26T10:30:39.126Z
Austin, TX – Could a short walk to work, a wait at a Dallas bus stop or just a few minutes outdoors during extreme cold be enough to cause frostbite? As Winter Weather Awareness Week continues Monday, October 26, Texas residents are being reminded that strong winds can turn freezing temperatures into a serious health threat.
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 accelerates heat loss from the body, 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 that depend on conditions and individual exposure.
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 forecast updates.
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 strong winds can cause them to cool toward that temperature faster.
How Can Texas 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 Texas From Dallas and Dallas County to Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Abilene and Midland, severe cold can affect communities across Texas.
The Texas Panhandle, including Potter, Randall, Deaf Smith and Dallam counties, can experience bitter temperatures and powerful winds during Arctic outbreaks.
Across North Texas, open farmland and exposed highways can leave agricultural workers, outdoor crews and stranded motorists vulnerable to dangerous wind chills.
In the Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area, commuters waiting for DART trains or buses may face prolonged exposure when freezing temperatures combine with gusty winds.
West Texas communities, including Lubbock, Midland and Odessa, can also experience hazardous wind chills when Arctic air spreads across the Southern Plains.
Farther south, Houston, San Antonio and coastal communities can face serious cold weather risks during unusual Arctic outbreaks, even when wind chills do not reach the extremes seen farther north.
Travelers along Interstate 35, Interstate 20, Interstate 40, Interstate 10 and Interstate 45 should keep winter emergency supplies available in case of breakdowns.
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.