image by: Ulf Bodin

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How to not die in a blizzard

There’s something about the deep, soft snow that makes the whole world feel quiet. Technically that something is all the tiny holes in snow drifts that absorb sound, but poetically it’s that everyone comes to a standstill. Schools close, offices empty, and we all huddle inside to watch the flakes float down.

Well…not quite all of us. Because inevitably, some people leave their homes. And this is the single biggest mistake you can make during a blizzard. The best way not to die in a snowstorm is to stay inside.

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Featured

 How to Protect Yourself in Extremely Cold Weather

Overall, really, really try to stay inside if you can—and accept that our human tolerance to dangerously cold temperatures may not be as high as you think. “People think they can tough out extreme cold—they can’t,” Dr. Casciari says.

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When temperatures drop, deaths rise

Cold spells increased overall deaths by 10 percent. Deaths by cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease were the most affected, rising by 11 percent and 21 percent, respectively. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels and airways to constrict, putting people who are already suffering these illnesses at risk.

Why a warming climate can bring bigger snowstorms

When the Arctic is relatively warm, the polar vortex tends to be weaker and more easily elongates or “stretches,” allowing extremely cold air to dip south. Episodes of polar-vortex stretching have markedly increased in the past few decades, leading, at times, to more severe winter weather in some places.

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Resources

CDC

During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services, and icy roads. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.