Heavy, wet snow is more than an inconvenience — it raises real health risks, especially when people shovel or spend time outdoors without proper precautions. This article lays out what makes this snowfall dangerous, who is most at risk, what experts are warning, and practical steps to reduce harm while dealing with winter cleanup.
The storm’s weight and the wind combine to make movement harder and conditions more hazardous. “The combination of the wet, heavy snow and the heavy winds make it more of a health risk because it’s much harder to get around,” Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital. That extra effort and unstable footing are the perfect setup for injuries and cardiac events.
<p” In the aftermath of the storm, as the temperatures drop, the heavy, wet snow forms ice, which makes walking and driving treacherous.” Ice turns what looked manageable into a slipping and sliding hazard, and the cold after wet exposure speeds up chill and hypothermia. Even routine tasks become riskier when surfaces are glazed and visibility or footing is poor.
Wet snow soaks clothing and steals body heat quickly, which can be deceptively dangerous for people who stay out longer than planned. Heavy, wet snow can get inside clothes and cause “more of a chill,” potentially leading to hypothermia in severe cases, according to Siegel. Layering and waterproof outerwear cut that risk but only if people actually use them.
“I saw this morning people who weren’t covered properly … weren’t wearing gloves, didn’t have the full hat, or the kind of overcoat they needed,” he said. Exposed hands and heads lose heat fast, and even short trips without proper gear add cumulative stress to the body. Dressing correctly is simple, cheap protection that often gets overlooked in the rush to clear sidewalks and driveways.
“They also weren’t looking out for each other. You need to look out for each other. With this kind of wind, you get really easily discombobulated.” Strong gusts can disorient people, making small tasks feel bigger and increasing the chance of falls or missed hazards. Staying in contact with neighbors, checking on vulnerable folks, and not tackling long jobs alone lowers overall risk.
Power lines and fallen trees create a second layer of danger after the snow stops. “Watch out if you are outside for brief periods — for fallen power lines or for trees that are down. That’s very, very dangerous as well,” he cautioned. “That’s where a lot of the injuries come from.” Keep distance from tipped poles and always assume heavy wires are live.
Cardiologists warn that sudden exertion in cold weather can trigger heart problems for people with underlying conditions. “In frigid temperatures, that added strain can increase the risk of a heart-related event,” he said. “This can be especially dangerous for people who are out of shape or not used to strenuous activity.”
“Many heart-related events occur in people who are usually inactive,” Latzman went on. “When someone who is sedentary suddenly takes on heavy shoveling after a storm, that unexpected strain can unfortunately lead to a serious emergency.” The combination of heavy lifting, breath-holding, and cold-induced blood pressure spikes is a known trigger for heart attacks.
Those with obesity, a history of smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, previous heart attack or stroke, and people who have had bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty face the highest risk. “Anyone with these characteristics, including people who have undergone bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty, should not be shoveling snow,” Latzman concluded. When in doubt, get someone else to do the heavy work.
Practically speaking, avoid playing the hero if you’re not fit or have known heart disease. Siegel urged those who may be at risk to avoid going out with their shovels and “being a hero.” “It’s about the most cardiac expenditure of energy that you can have,” he said. “So if you’ve been sedentary, don’t go and shovel. Get a younger person or somebody who’s in much better shape to do it.”
If clearing snow is unavoidable, pace yourself and use safer techniques to limit strain. Move smaller loads, take frequent breaks, breathe normally while lifting, and favor pushing or sweeping moves over lifting and tossing. Cover your mouth and nose in frigid wind, dress in layered clothing with a hat and gloves, and consider mechanical help or paid services for heavy drifts.
Pushing snow or using a snow blower reduces physical exertion compared with repeated heavy lifts, and teamwork shortens exposure to cold. Even modest planning — warming up briefly before work, clearing in stages, and monitoring how you feel — can prevent the most common and dangerous outcomes. When weather turns extreme, the smartest option is often to wait it out and protect your health first.
