With freezing temperatures on the horizon for Laramie, there is plenty to do to prepare and stay safe. On average, according to a graph from Forbes, the average first freeze of the season in Laramie is Sept. 11, usually falling between late August and mid-to-late September.
Data from the National Weather Service Climatological First Freeze maps show the earliest freeze averages range from Aug. 10 or earlier in southeast Wyoming. The latest range from this set of data is Sept. 21-30 with the median being Sept. 1-10.
Another source predicts a 90% chance of the first freezing temperatures by Sept. 19.
This year, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, winter is bringing a warmer than usual season. The coldest periods are predicted to be mid-November and early February.
As for snow, Farmers Almanac is predicting occasional rain showers through mid-October where only then, snow is possible.
Laramie has yet to reach freezing temperatures and is not expected to for the week of Sept. 13-19 according to the National Weather Service. Although chances of snow are low for now, cold weather is not something to be messed with. There are certain precautions that should be taken as colder weather approaches.
Hypothermia happens when someone’s body temperature is decreasing faster than heat is being produced and can occur in temperatures up to 60 degrees fahrenheit. Most cases of hypothermia occur from 30-50 F.
Laramie is notoriously windy which can create a false sense of warmth in some cases. Although the forecast claims one temperature, the human body will respond more appropriately to the wind chill, or ‘feels like’ temperature.
Wind chill can accelerate instances of hypothermia and frostbite exponentially if not considered.
Some signs of hypothermia include a body temperature below 95 F, confusion, drowsiness, slowed breathing and heart rate, and uncontrolled shivering.
As for frostbite, the symptoms include aching throbbing or numbness in extremities, hard pale skin that has been exposed to cold, and red, painful skin as the area defrosts. Someone with frostbite may also have hypothermia.
In both cases, emergency services should be called.
