Harrison Thorp 10:34 a.m.
Monday, January 21, 2019 10:34 am

What's the weather gonna be like today? High 5.

That's right, that's the day's high temp.

But with the wind it'll feel more like -21, according to Accuweather readings in the Northern Seacoast.

That wind chill will stay brutally cold throughout the day, thanks to winds out of the west northwest that will stay around 18 mph through the daylight hours.

So how are people who have to be out and about reacting to this historic cold?

"Pretty much everyone who comes in the first thing they say is, 'Brrrrrr,'" said Lorri, a cashier at the Milton Road Shell.

But this brutal cold can be just as dangerous as it is a bother.

Hypothermia and frostbite suddenly become real concerns.

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues, according to information at mayoclinic.org. Exposed skin in cold, windy weather is most vulnerable to frostbite.

Hypothermia is reduced body temperature that happens when a body dissipates more heat than it absorbs. In humans, it is defined as a body core temperature below 95.0, according to Wikipedia.com. Symptoms depend on the temperature. In mild hypothermia there is shivering and mental confusion, while in moderate hypothermia shivering stops and confusion increases. In severe cases death can result.

The treatment of mild hypothermia involves warm drinks, warm clothing, and physical activity. In those with moderate hypothermia, heating blankets and warmed intravenous fluids are recommended.

Luckily, most people are hunkering down, Rochester Police Sgt. Randy Smith said today.

"The few patrols that have been out say it's very quiet," said Smith, who just returned from vacation in Canada.

"It feels much warmer here," he quipped.

The temps moderate after today with Tuesday's high around 22. On Wednesday it gets balmy with a high of 37 and Thursday is T-shirt day with a high of 42.