Temperatures are expected to drop into the low-teens, and possibly even single digits in the Permian Basin starting Sunday, meaning many will be at home staying warm inside.
For those that have to work outdoors, the cold can present a real danger.
Hypothermia is the primary concern as West Texas could see wind chill readings fall below zero degrees. Some warning signs of hypothermia to watch for are confusion, loss of speech, shivering, sleepiness and muscle stiffness.
Frostbite is another concern although the threat isn't quite as large. Wind chills need to be extremely cold for frostbite to be a serious threat. It can still happen with higher wind chill's, such as near zero degrees, which is about as cold as it is expected to get. However, it takes much longer for the condition to onset.
Still, it's a good idea to wear gloves and cover body extremities if people have to be outside for long periods of time.
As mentioned, the biggest concern is hypothermia and that begs the question of what to do if people come across someone with hypothermia.
The first thing is to remove the person from the cold and get them into a warm, but not hot place.
Remove any wet clothing and provide a warm blanket. Its okay to give the person warm beverages, as long as they don't contain any alcohol or caffeine. Don't apply any direct heat, such as from a heating pad, as this can lead to a rapid change in body temperature causing heart issues.
Lastly, monitor the person as they warm up. Make sure the person is breathing and is awake. If breathing stops or slows down to dangerous levels, apply CPR if certified or call 911.