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Health Risks During Winter Storms in Saint Paul, M
Health Risks During Winter Storms in Saint Paul, M
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Guest
Guest
Aug 19, 2026
4:09 AM
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Winter storms are a familiar part of life in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but their health effects can extend far beyond slippery sidewalks and difficult driving. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds, ice, power outages, and prolonged periods indoors can create a combination of cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and mental health risks. For some residents, a severe storm can also make it harder to obtain prescription medications or reach medical care when roads become dangerous.
Saint Paul’s own emergency management guidance identifies hypothermia and frostbite as important cold-weather hazards and notes that hypothermia can occur even at temperatures above 40°F when someone becomes chilled by wet conditions, sweat, or cold water. Minnesota health officials similarly recommend preparing before storms because winter weather can bring extreme cold, heavy snow, ice, power failures, communication problems, and hazardous roads.
Understanding these risks before a storm arrives can help Saint Paul residents make safer decisions. The goal is not to eliminate every danger but to recognize warning signs early, avoid unnecessary exposure, and know when a medical problem requires urgent attention.
Snow Shoveling and the Risk of Heart Attack
One of the most overlooked winter health risks is strenuous snow removal. A driveway or sidewalk may look like a simple household chore, but shoveling heavy or wet snow can place considerable stress on the cardiovascular system.
The American Heart Association warns that snow shoveling can increase the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest, particularly when strenuous exertion is combined with very cold temperatures. Cold causes blood vessels to constrict, which can raise blood pressure and increase the workload on the heart. Shoveling itself can rapidly increase heart rate and blood pressure, especially when a person lifts and throws heavy loads of snow.
The risk may be greater for people who are not accustomed to regular physical activity or who have cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking history, obesity, or previous heart disease. The American Heart Association specifically advises people with known or suspected heart disease or significant cardiovascular risk factors to have someone else handle snow removal whenever possible.
Before going outside, especially during a major storm, check the Saint Paul winter storm warning today and consider whether snow removal can safely wait.
If you are healthy enough to shovel, avoid treating it like a workout. Push snow rather than repeatedly lifting and throwing it when possible. Take frequent breaks, dress in layers, protect your face and hands, and avoid suddenly tackling a large accumulation all at once. Do not ignore chest pressure, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, or pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw. Stop immediately and seek emergency medical attention if concerning symptoms occur.
A person who collapses and becomes unresponsive may be experiencing cardiac arrest. Call 911 and begin CPR if appropriate while waiting for emergency responders.
Hypothermia: Recognizing When the Body Is Losing Too Much Heat
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing core body temperature to fall below normal. Although it is commonly associated with extremely cold weather, Saint Paul emergency management points out that hypothermia can also develop in cooler conditions when someone becomes wet or chilled for an extended period.
Winter storms create several opportunities for accidental cold exposure. Someone clearing snow may become sweaty and then rapidly chilled by wind. A person whose vehicle becomes stranded may remain outside while attempting to get help. Older adults may become dangerously cold if a heating system fails. People without adequate shelter can be particularly vulnerable.
Early hypothermia may cause shivering, fatigue, clumsiness, and difficulty concentrating. As the condition progresses, symptoms can include confusion, memory problems, slurred speech, drowsiness, and increasingly poor coordination. Saint Paul specifically lists shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness among the warning signs in adults.
A dangerous feature of severe hypothermia is that the person may stop shivering as the condition worsens. Therefore, the absence of shivering does not necessarily mean someone is safe.
Move a person with suspected hypothermia to a warm location if it can be done safely. Remove wet clothing and replace it with dry layers or blankets. Handle severely hypothermic people gently because profound hypothermia can affect the heart's rhythm. Seek medical attention promptly, particularly when the person is confused, unusually sleepy, has slurred speech, or has a body temperature below 95°F.
Do not rely on alcohol to warm someone. Alcohol can impair judgment and increase heat loss, making cold exposure more dangerous.
Frostbite Can Cause Permanent Tissue Damage
Frostbite is another major concern during Saint Paul winters. It happens when skin and underlying tissues freeze. Fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed and can lose heat quickly.
Saint Paul emergency management notes that frostbite can cause loss of feeling and changes in skin color. Severe frostbite can permanently damage tissue and, in the worst cases, result in amputation.
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