Weather
Vermont Cold Weather: Burlington Families Urged to Know the Signs
Burlington, VT – As Vermont heads deeper into the colder months, residents across Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland and communities throughout the Green Mountain State are being reminded of two potentia
By Lena Wood · 2026-11-04T16:30:50.937Z
Burlington, VT – As Vermont heads deeper into the colder months, residents across Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland and communities throughout the Green Mountain State are being reminded of two potentially life threatening winter dangers: frostbite and hypothermia. Although both are caused by exposure to cold, they affect the human body in very different ways.
According to the National Weather Service, dressing in layers, covering exposed skin and limiting time outdoors can help reduce the risk of cold related injuries. Recognizing the warning signs of frostbite and hypothermia is especially important for people who work outdoors, travel during winter weather or spend extended periods in freezing temperatures.
Frostbite vs. Hypothermia: What's the Difference?
Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze. It most commonly affects fingers, toes, ears, noses and other exposed body parts.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pale or discolored skin and areas that feel unusually hard or waxy. Severe cases can result in permanent tissue damage.
Hypothermia, meanwhile, develops when the body's internal temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, confusion, slurred speech, exhaustion and poor coordination. Severe hypothermia can cause unconsciousness and become fatal without immediate treatment.
What Should Vermont Residents Do?
Anyone showing signs of hypothermia should receive emergency medical attention. Move the person indoors, remove wet clothing and use dry blankets to gradually warm the center of the body.
For suspected frostbite, avoid rubbing affected areas or using direct heat. Seek medical care promptly.
The National Weather Service also encourages residents to protect pets, insulate exposed pipes and check on elderly neighbors during cold weather.
Wind, moisture and prolonged exposure can increase the danger, even when temperatures are above freezing.
The critical difference: Frostbite damages freezing skin and tissue, while hypothermia threatens the body's ability to maintain a safe internal temperature. Both can occur simultaneously.