Overview
- Forecasters expect double-digit subzero temperatures across large parts of Germany this weekend, with the Deutsche Wetterdienst citing nighttime lows near minus 17°C in higher elevations of Saxony.
- Cold exposure triggers vasoconstriction that preserves core warmth but leaves hands, feet, ears and lips colder, with shivering and goosebumps acting as energy-intensive defenses.
- Prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia that becomes dangerous below roughly 30°C core temperature, while frostbite may develop within minutes on exposed skin when strong wind lowers the perceived temperature, especially on fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin.
- Doctors highlight heightened danger for small children, seniors—particularly those with dementia—people with circulatory disorders or diabetes, and those with sensory neuropathies, with added cautions for asthma patients, individuals with untreated coronary disease and anyone overexerting or intoxicated outdoors.
- Protective guidance emphasizes dressing in layers with a windproof outer shell, wearing a hat, drinking warm tea or soups and keeping blood sugar steady, alongside skin-care creams for cold and wind exposure and a clear warning that alcohol speeds heat loss rather than preventing it.