Learn more about the effects of cold on health

Tahoe Forest Health System and its Wellness services address seasonal winter challenges through programs, newsletters, and community workshops, with added steps during winter weather emergencies.

Hi everybody. I’m Dr. Brian Evans, the Chief Medical Officer here at Tahoe Forest Health System. You know, here in North Lake Tahoe, we absolutely love the
winter. We’re all about the winter. We like to get out there and ski and snowboard and tele and everything else, but we also want to make sure that we are aware of the dangers that cold weather can bring. There is the risk of illness and injury. And specifically, I’m talking about hypothermia and frostbite. So, we really want to make sure we’re preventing those things from ever happening to us.

So, as we go outdoors and enjoy  the winter, we want to wear layers of clothing. Want to make sure we protect our heads with a nice comfortable hat. We’ve got gloves. We’re wearing warm socks. And we’re keeping everything as dry as we possibly can. When our clothing gets wet, our body loses heat much more quickly. So, we want to watch out for that and and and wear dry clothing. Limit your time outdoors if you can. If it’s a very extremely cold day, you know, if you’re skiing out there and it’s a really freezing one, get into the lodge and warm up periodically and avoid hypothermia.

Warning signs that you need to watch out for. Number one, shivering. When people start to get very, very cold and hypothermic, they can have confusion. They might start having slurred speech. They might be unusually fatigued. So, if that’s you or it’s somebody you’re with, uh, you should really take that very seriously. Frostbite’s another story. You know, we sometimes see tingling in the fingertips or numbness. Sometimes we see skin turning whitish or gray or even kind of waxy and that can be an early sign of frostbite. That requires prompt medical attention. So watch out for that very very closely.

There are certain vulnerable groups, you know, and it’s the same groups that are vulnerable to other things, but we’re talking about young children, older adults, people who are unhoused are very much at risk for hypothermia and frostbite. So those are the folks we really watch out for. And anybody who has a medical condition that affects their circulation- think about people with vascular disease. Those folks, we really watch out for frostbite with them.

I’ll just say a word about alcohol use. You know, it tends to make hypothermia and frostbite more likely. It masks symptoms that people might have from those conditions and it also speeds up heat loss. And of course, alcohol makes uh folks have different decision making and sometimes poor decision making which can get them in trouble in the first place.

So, you know, winter is a great time to be in Tahoe. We love it here in the winter time. It’s for enjoying, but safety comes first. So, dress warmly, stay alert for warning signs, and look out for one another. And come see us if you need anything at all. Thank you very much.

Person digging snow off car

Risks

  • Mountain chill and exposure: Truckee and Tahoe winters regularly dip between 10–40 °F, with intense wind and snow creating rapid temperature drops and icy conditions.
  • Snow and storms: Heavy snowfall and blizzards can cause power outages and isolation.
  • Altitude effects: Cold air at approximately 6,000 feet feels more biting. Breathing is harder, adding stress on your body.

Local info

  • Wellness workshops and e‑Newsletters: TFHS publishes winter-focused content, covering flu prevention, fall-risk, safe winter travel, and indoor air quality. Check the TFHS Wellness News archives for December–February editions.
  • Climate and snow: Truckee and Tahoe experience a humid continental climate with heavy snowfall—average 206  in⁢ches per year, frequent sub-freezing nights (approximately 229 per year), and hazardous winter storms.
  • Storm preparedness alerts: Town of Truckee and Tahoe Donner recommend stocking emergency kits with water, canned food, flashlights, blankets, warm clothes, and backup heating or flashlights.
  • Community warming center: The Emergency Warming Center is open only on the most severe weather nights, November – April. The center provides our guests a warm, dry, safe place to stay overnight. ​To check operations visit North Tahoe-Truckee Homeless Services.

Who’s vulnerable?

  • Older adults, infants, young children
  • People with cardiac, respiratory issues
  • Outdoor workers or rescuers
  • Hikers, skiers, snowmobilers, and pets
  • Anyone caught in traffic or power outages during storms
woman with frost on her eye lashes

Illnesses

  • Frostbite: Affects extremities (fingers, toes, ears, nose)
    • Early signs: numbness, redness
    • Advanced signs: white or grayish skin
  • Hypothermia: When core temperature drops below 95 °F
    • Symptoms: shivering, slurred speech, slow breathing, confusion
    • This is considered a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Call 911 or visit the Emergency Room.
person snow blowing

Warning signs

Condition Signs What to do
Frostbite Numbness, white/gray skin
  • Warm affected area in lukewarm water
  • Wrap with bandages
  • Avoid rubbing
  • Seek medical care if severe
Hypothermia Shivering, confusion, slow breath
  • Call 911
  • Move to warm environment
  • Remove wet clothes
  • Apply blankets
  • Provide warm (not hot) drinks if conscious

Call 911 immediately for hypothermia, deep frostbite, or if someone can’t walk or is confused.

Prevention

1. Dress in layers

  • Base layer: moisture-wicking (avoid cotton)
  • Middle layer: insulating (fleece, wool)
  • Outer layer: windproof, waterproof
  • Include hat, scarf, gloves/mittens, warm socks, boots

2. Plan outdoor activities

  • Check the Truckee-Tahoe Travel Alert for weather, air quality, and road/sled zone conditions.
  • Avoid strenuous snow shoveling, overexertion can stress the heart
  • Watch out for ice, use traction aids and step slowly

3. Be storm-ready

  • Stock emergency kits: flashlights, batteries, blankets, non‑perishable foods, water, camp stove, fuel, ice scraper
  • Keep faucets slightly dripping to prevent frozen pipes; leave cabinet doors open to warm plumbing

4. Practice snow travel safety

5. Prevent indoor emergencies

  • Maintain three- foot clearance around space heaters; never use charcoal grills or generators indoors.
  • Use flashlights or battery lanterns and avoid open flames.

6. Keep your body fueled

  • Eat high‑energy, protein‑rich foods and stay hydrated, even cold weather can dehydrate you.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol. They contribute to heat loss and dehydration.

7. Protect pets

  • Provide draft‑free dog houses with bedding; keep pets indoors when possible.
  • Never leave pets in cars. Cold temperatures can be lethal.
  • More pet safety tips
woman wearing gloves in snow

Be prepared

  1. Monitor weather, avalanche, and road conditions via local alerts and Sierra Avalanche forecasts.
  2. Maintain an emergency kit at home and in vehicles.
  3. Dress smart and stay fueled.
  4. Check on at-risk friends or neighbors
    • Ensure heating systems and plumbing are working.
  5. If trapped, stay with your vehicle. Run engine periodically for heat and crack a window.

Resources

  • Tahoe Forest Hospital and ER – (530) 587‑6011 (open 24/7)
  • TFHS Urgent Care – for non-emergency care
  • Sign up for emergency alerts: Tahoe Alerts makes emergency notification registration easy for residents and visitors across the Tahoe region
    • Coverage Areas: Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, Douglas, Alpine, and Washoe counties, as well as Truckee, Carson City, and South Lake Tahoe
    • Visit TahoeAlerts.com to sign up
      • Enter your address or location
      • Let the system identify the right emergency notification system for you
  • ‍Be prepared for power outages: ‍Read our Visitor’s Guide to Wildfire Safety Power Outage (PSOMs)
    • Sign up for text alerts from TDPUD: Opt in to text alerts by texting “TDPUD” to 333111