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Health Risks During Winter Storms in Fairbanks, Al
Health Risks During Winter Storms in Fairbanks, Al
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Guest
Guest
Jul 19, 2026
4:02 AM
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Winter in Fairbanks, Alaska, is unlike winter in most other parts of the United States. Temperatures regularly plunge well below zero, daylight hours become extremely short, and severe winter storms can transform everyday activities into significant health hazards. While residents are experienced in living with Arctic conditions, even lifelong Alaskans face serious medical risks during intense winter weather. Visitors, newcomers, older adults, children, and people with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable.
The combination of bitter cold, heavy snowfall, icy roads, power outages, and prolonged isolation creates a unique set of health challenges. Understanding these risks—and preparing for them before a storm arrives—can significantly reduce injuries, hospitalizations, and even fatalities.
If you have a heart condition, check the Fairbanks winter storm warning today before deciding whether to shovel. During an active warning, heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerously cold temperatures can dramatically increase physical stress on the cardiovascular system.
Why Fairbanks Winters Present Unique Health Challenges
Fairbanks experiences some of North America's coldest routinely inhabited weather. Winter temperatures frequently drop below -30°F (-34°C), while occasional cold snaps reach -50°F (-46°C) or lower. Wind chills can make exposed skin freeze within minutes.
Unlike coastal regions where storms often bring wet snow, Fairbanks commonly experiences extremely dry, powdery snow accompanied by prolonged cold spells. Although dry snow may seem easier to manage, repeated exposure to severe cold places tremendous stress on the human body.
Additional factors include:
Limited daylight affecting mental health
Ice-covered roads delaying emergency transportation
Remote communities with limited healthcare access
Increased use of wood stoves, heaters, and generators
Longer recovery times after severe storms
These conditions combine to create multiple medical risks that require careful planning.
Heart Attack Risk During Snow Shoveling
One of the most overlooked dangers during winter storms is the increased risk of heart attacks while clearing snow.
Snow shoveling combines several cardiovascular stressors:
Heavy lifting
Cold air inhalation
Elevated blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Reduced oxygen supply
Sudden bursts of strenuous activity
Cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict. This naturally raises blood pressure, forcing the heart to work harder. When someone immediately begins lifting heavy snow, cardiac demand can rise dramatically within minutes.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Higher-risk individuals include:
Adults over 45
People with coronary artery disease
Individuals with high blood pressure
Smokers
People with diabetes
Individuals with high cholesterol
Anyone with a previous heart attack
Many people mistakenly believe they are safe because they shovel every winter. Unfortunately, cardiac emergencies often occur among people who feel perfectly fine before beginning.
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
Symptoms include:
Chest pressure
Pain spreading into the jaw or shoulder
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Cold sweating
Dizziness
Extreme fatigue
Women may experience less obvious symptoms such as nausea, upper back pain, unusual tiredness, or indigestion.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should stop immediately and seek emergency medical care.
Safer Snow Removal Practices
To reduce risk:
Warm up indoors first.
Dress in layers.
Push snow rather than lifting it.
Take frequent breaks.
Stay hydrated.
Avoid alcohol beforehand.
Never shovel immediately after waking.
Hire assistance if you have known heart disease.
Hypothermia: A Silent Winter Emergency
Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature falls below 95°F (35°C).
In Fairbanks, hypothermia can develop surprisingly quickly because extreme cold continuously pulls heat away from the body.
Early Symptoms
Initial warning signs include:
Persistent shivering
Cold hands and feet
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue
Slurred speech
Poor coordination
These symptoms often appear gradually, making them easy to overlook.
Moderate Hypothermia
As body temperature continues falling:
Shivering becomes violent
Walking becomes difficult
Confusion increases
Speech worsens
Memory declines
Judgment becomes impaired
Ironically, victims may insist they are "fine" despite obvious impairment.
Severe Hypothermia
Medical emergencies develop when:
Shivering stops
Pulse slows dramatically
Breathing becomes shallow
Consciousness fades
Heart rhythm becomes unstable
Without treatment, severe hypothermia can become fatal.
Proper Treatment for Hypothermia
If hypothermia is suspected:
Move the person indoors immediately.
Remove wet clothing carefully.
Wrap them in warm blankets.
Use dry clothing.
Offer warm (not hot) beverages if fully alert.
Warm the chest, neck, and groin first.
Avoid placing someone into very hot water because sudden warming may trigger dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Never massage frozen skin or use direct high heat such as heating pads on numb areas.
Call emergency services immediately for moderate or severe hypothermia.
Frostbite: Permanent Injury Can Occur Within Minutes
Frostbite damages skin and deeper tissues when freezing temperatures interrupt blood flow.
Fairbanks' extreme cold makes frostbite one of the region's most common winter injuries.
Commonly Affected Areas
Most vulnerable body parts include:
Fingers
Toes
Nose
Cheeks
Ears
Chin
Wind dramatically accelerates freezing.
Early Frostbite Symptoms
Early warning signs include:
Tingling
Burning sensation
Numbness
Pale skin
Waxy appearance
People often ignore these symptoms because numbness temporarily reduces discomfort.
Advanced Frostbite
As injury worsens:
Skin becomes hard
Tissue turns white
Blisters develop after warming
Severe swelling occurs
Skin may eventually darken
Deep frostbite can permanently damage muscles, nerves, tendons, and bone.
Correct Frostbite Treatment
Immediate treatment should include:
Move indoors.
Remove wet clothing.
Protect affected areas.
Avoid rubbing frozen skin.
Rewarm only if there is no chance of refreezing.
Use warm water between 98°F and 104°F (37–40°C).
Do not use open flames, space heaters, or heating pads.
After thawing:
Cover loosely with sterile dressings.
Keep fingers and toes separated.
Elevate injured limbs.
Seek medical evaluation promptly.
Pain during rewarming is common and often severe, but rapid professional treatment improves long-term recovery.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Winter Storms
Power outages increase generator use throughout Interior Alaska.
Unfortunately, improper generator placement causes carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning every winter.
Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because:
It has no smell.
It has no color.
It cannot be tasted.
Victims often become unconscious without realizing anything is wrong.
Common Sources
Potential carbon monoxide sources include:
Portable generators
Idling vehicles
Gas heaters
Wood stoves
Propane appliances
Blocked furnace exhausts
Ice-covered exterior vents
Snow accumulation around furnace vents is a frequent winter hazard in Fairbanks.
Blocked vents can force dangerous gases back inside the home.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Early symptoms resemble influenza:
Headache
Dizziness
Weakness
Nausea
Vomiting
Sleepiness
As exposure continues:
Confusion
Loss of coordination
Collapse
Seizures
Death
Multiple household members becoming ill simultaneously is a major warning sign.
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