Freezing Temperatures and Strong Winds Slam the Hampton Roads Area

By Olivia Armstead

Courtesy of the Virginian-Pilot

Freezing temperatures and strong winds rocked the communities in Hampton Roads last weekend, prompting health officials to warn residents about staying in the cold for extended periods of time. Wind chills were in the teens and even single digits in certain areas, which increased the risk of cold-related health issues such as hypothermia and frostbite, according to Wavy10 News. 

Several cold weather advisory notices, cold weather warnings, and high wind warnings were issued in several cities across the Hampton Roads area, including Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, as well as the Eastern Shore. 

The National Weather Service warned that objects that are not secure may be blown around by the strong winds, and tree limbs could also fall, causing power outages, per Wavy10 News. Officials said that driving may be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, and advised people to bundle up and wear layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves if they are going outside. They also mentioned the risks of hypothermia. 

Dr. Caitlin Pedati, a health official with the Virginia Department of Health, stressed how concerning these conditions are to residents’ health. 

“With the weather the way it is, the low temperatures and the wind, which can make it feel even colder, sometimes it can happen in 30 minutes or even less," said Pedati. “It’ll be fingers or the tips of your nose turning red, starting to tingle, feeling numb. Again, those are concerning signs. You’d want to get inside and gently warm up."

Students attending college in the Hampton Roads area also expressed how they feel about the cold conditions. 

“Personally, I feel like this year has had some of the coldest weather I’ve ever seen at Hampton,” said Taj Nash, a third-year marine and environmental science major attending Hampton University. “Both my sophomore and junior year it has snowed a ton, so I definitely would say this probably has to do with climate change. It makes me wonder if Hampton’s average winter climate patterns are changing.”