Hypothermia is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures that causes an abnormally low body temperature. The human body can lose heat faster than it can be produced when exposed to cold temperatures. Prolonged cold temperature exposure will eventually exceed the body’s stored energy leading to lower body temperature. Once the body temperature becomes too low it affects the bodies functions and can impair the ability to think clearly or move. Hypothermia is most likely to happen at very cold temperatures, but it can also occur at cool temperatures (above 40 degrees Fahrenheit) if the person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water. 

• CDC: Prevent Hypothermia & Frostbite

• NWS: Cold Weather Safety

•  For more information on Kansas Warming Centers, click here. 

•  Kansas Cold Weather Toolkit