Extreme Cold Temperatures On the Way

Dangerously low temperatures are forecasted this week, and Public Health Madison & Dane County wants to remind residents to take steps to be safe and stay warm.

Subzero temperatures, wind chills, and winter storms can cause hypothermia, frostbite, and even death. There were 103 cold-related deaths in the state during the winter months of 2024-25, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

"The health risks in these kinds of conditions are especially high for the elderly, people with disabilities, and people who spend time outdoors or lack consistent access to heat, including people experiencing homelessness," said Morgan Finke, Communication Coordinator for Public Health Madison & Dane County.

Local shelters have temporarily dropped overnight capacity limits to ensure everyone has a warm place to sleep. The best way to stay safe is to be prepared, stay indoors, and follow these tips:

For Yourself and Loved Ones

• Stay inside. When possible, stay indoors.
• Limit outdoor time for pets. Extreme cold is dangerous for animals too.
• Dress in layers. If you have to go out, dress in several loose-fitting layers. Wear a hat, mittens, and snow boots. Use a scarf to cover your mouth and face.
• Know the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia.
  • Hypothermia : Warning signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, and slurred speech, and symptoms can look similar to intoxication. Call 911 if someone is exposed to cold temperatures and you see these symptoms.
  • Frostbite: At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin-frostbite may be beginning.
• Check on your friends, family, and neighbors. Give loved ones a call or text to make sure they're warm and safe.

For Your Home

• Stock a home emergency kit. Your home kit should include items such as food and water, cell phone and charger, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, important medications, a weather radio, and a change of clothes. Visit readywisconsin.wi.gov/make-a-kit for more items and tips.
• Prevent frozen pipes. The Red Cross has tips for preventing and thawing frozen pipes.
• Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have properly working detectors on every level, including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas. Detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores or online for $20-50.
• Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or garage. Any heating system that burns fuel produces carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, and RVs.
• Run generators at a safe distance (at least 20 feet) from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.

For Your Car

Winterize your car. Just as you have a home emergency kit, you need one for your car too. Pack items such as blankets, snacks and water, a shovel, jumper cables, and sand. Visit readywisconsin.wi.gov/make-a-kit for more items and tips. Keep your gas tank at least half-full.