Hypothermia Warnings Issued for 12 U.S. States on Super Bowl Sunday

It is a brutally cold Super Bowl Sunday in roughly one-quarter of the United States. As of this afternoon, 12 states are under a Cold Weather Advisory, courtesy of the National Weather Service (NWS).

The plummeting temperatures and biting wind chills put residents at risk of frostbite and hypothermia if they must venture outside.

Which states are being warned about hypothermia?

According to the NWS, the following states are under a Cold Weather Advisory for the rest of today into Monday:

• Maine
• Vermont
• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• North Carolina

That's the entire New England and Northeast regions and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, if you're keeping score at home. In all of these areas, wind chills are expected to fall below zero.

"Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures," the NWS says.

"Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside."

What is hypothermia?

Defined as abnormally low body temperature, hypothermia occurs when a person is exposed to cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time.

Signs and symptoms include

• Shivering
• Exhaustion or feeling very tired
• Confusion
• Fumbling hands
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

Who is most at risk?

Older adults are one of the high risk groups for hypothermia, as well as babies, people who spend significant time outside, such as hunters and the homeless, and those who use alcohol and illicit drugs.

Extreme cold may create dangers for older adults, particularly if a heating system fails, explains Andrew Droney, the senior director at ADT Health.

" Some older adults may not immediately recognize that there’s a problem and may try to compensate by adding layers of clothing instead of realizing the home temperature is unsafe," Droney told Men's Journal's Matthew Thomas in January.

"Many in-home medical alert systems now include high- and low-temperature sensors that can trigger an alert if conditions reach unsafe levels. When that happens, a monitoring center can check in with the individual and notify designated emergency contacts if needed, helping ensure the situation is addressed quickly."