Need to walk around in these icy NC conditions? Here’s when it’s safest to be outside
Schools, businesses and local governments are closed across the Triangle and Charlotte area on Thursday, Feb. 20, and drivers are warned about slick roads.
But some may still need to go outside — perhaps to exercise, get some fresh air, play in the snow or walk the dog.
“Be especially careful going outside and traveling today,” Aaron Swiggett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh, told The News & Observer in a phone interview.
Here are some tips for moving around in the outdoors and suggested times to venture out today.
How to stay safe while walking on ice
Icy conditions are no time to worry about fashion. It’s all about function.
Choosing shoes that have a lot of tread to provide traction is prudent, Dr. Rebecca Wadlinger, a sports medicine specialist at Duke Health, said in a video published in January.
When it comes to moving around, be like a penguin, UNC Charlotte’s Environmental Health and Safety recommends.
- Keep your knees loose and arms to the side.
- Take your hands out of your pockets so you can quickly break your fall if you slip.
- Spread your feet out slightly.
Take short steps, with your toes pointed out, and keep your center of gravity over your front leg, Wadlinger added.
Sometimes gravity wins, and you slip. Try to land on your side or buttocks, not your hands or head, Wadlinger said.
Make sure you’re not injured before you get back up. Put both hands and feet on the ground to push yourself up, or use something around you to help.
Hopefully all that is damaged is your pride. But if you are unable to move a body part normally or put weight on it without pain, or if you are experiencing “uncontrollable swelling or bleeding,” seek medical care, Wadlinger said.
When are the best times to go outside today?
Flurries are still falling across parts of the Triangle and Charlotte area on Thursday morning, and temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for most of the day, Swiggett said.
But around 3-4 p.m., sunshine should begin to help melt some of the ice. The forecast predicts a high temperature around 35 degrees for the Triangle and Charlotte metro area, so ice and snow in shaded spots isn’t expected to dissipate much.
Overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s, but more sunshine and above-freezing temperatures are on the way Friday, Feb. 21, which should help melt the snow and ice.
Tips for taking care of pets in cold weather
The Triangle is experiencing below-freezing temperatures this week, so here are some best practices for taking care of dogs in winter weather, as previously reported by The News & Observer:
- Dress your dog in a jacket or sweater to help them stay warm.
- Put your dog in booties to protect their paws from chemicals used to treat snow and ice. The booties should be waterproof and provide traction.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 11:09 AM.
