THE WEATHER FORECAST IS FOR SNOW; FIND OUT HOW TO PREPARE FOR EXTREME COLD WEATHER
So, the wind is forecast to come from the Northeast, bringing with it ice, snow and wind chill factors down into temperatures well below zero. So how do you prepare for it here in the UK where we rarely experience extreme cold? We asked the lovely people at Arctic Direct, experts in Arctic holidays, how to prepare for a cold snap.
What clothing to wear for extremely cold weather during your arctic holiday
Founder of Arctic Direct, Charlotte Marshall advises.
“The key to cold weather dressing during arctic holidays is to layer up; each layer traps air between it increasing insulation. Go for wool or fleece over cotton as they hold moisture away from the skin (wicking).”
Firstly, invest in some decent thermal underwear or base layers. The Arctic Direct recommendation is for Merino wool, which is soft, warm and will hold moisture away from the skin so won’t get uncomfortable. A pair of leggings and a long-sleeved top will provide a great base layer to keep you toastie and warm.
Secondly, walking trousers, fleeces and jumpers will add to your layers. Again, use proper walking/ outdoor trousers, and good quality fleeces. For jumpers, merino wool is great for lightweight mid layers and a big chunky Scandinavian knit for warmth/ top layer.
Finally, on top a windproof and waterproof coat is essential to keep out the chill. Try to get one with pockets and a hood.
For your feet, get some long woolen socks – those for walking are ideal. These can be layered up on top of ankle socks and stop any gaps between trousers and boots.
You will also need a pair of good quality walking boots or Wellie boots with good grip to keep your feet during snowy or icy conditions.
For your head, a combination of full coverage hat and snood is recommended, so you can pull your snood up to protect your face and pull your hat down over your ears.
Health and Beauty for extreme cold weather
You need to take care of yourself in extreme cold weather and this means taking a few extra precautions.
Skincare: your skin needs extra protection, so use a good quality oil-based moisturising cream with you. They needn’t be expensive (Garnier do one for under £5) but water-based creams could freeze, potentially doing more harm than good. Apply regularly to face and body and Charlotte recommends.
“Try to wash in the evening rather than the morning, leaving your natural oils on the skin as a defense against the cold.”
Have a quality lip balm in a twist tube to hand and apply regularly as the cold and wind can dry and chap your lips.
Eyecare; contact lenses may be more comfortable than glasses and less apt to steam up when moving from cold to hot environments. If you are prone to dry eyes, eye drops are recommended as the weather may exacerbate the problem.
Accessories for cold weather and Arctic holidays
You may need to take a few extra accessories with you, as the weather places additional strain on us and our devices.
Take a portable battery charger with connectors for your phone and camera. Batteries can be negatively affected in the cold and won’t last if they normally do. So, a battery pack and USB leads are a good option.
To use your phone in the cold, a thin pair of gloves with touchscreen pads are ideal, coupled with a thicker pair of gloves to add over the top.
