Temperatures have plummeted over the past couple of weeks, and we’re quickly reminded that it’s time to break out that cold-weather gear and prepare for the long, dark winter months. Even though the official start of winter is still a couple of weeks away, sub-freezing overnight temperatures are forecasted for most of the remainder of the fall season, and there are a few things you can do now to make the next few months a little less stressful.

Here are the recommended cold-weather precautions to take during land development and construction. As the overnight and daily temperatures drop below 32° F more consistently, a layer of frost will develop at the ground surface and become thicker over time until thawed by extended warmer conditions. With this in mind, the frost layer needs to be removed prior to placement & compaction of any fill material, which in turn should never contain frozen chunks of soil or ice. Asphalt pavement construction should generally not take place unless the ground surface temperatures are above 40° F.  Concrete should never be poured on frozen ground, and consideration should be given to including an accelerator in the mix design and covering the concrete with insulated blankets and heating coils when exposed to freezing temperatures during the initial set.

Now, for those who spend a lot of time outdoors during the winter months, whether it’s required for work or you enjoy winter sports, dress appropriately with enough layers to stay warm and dry. It’s a good idea to keep spare articles of winter gear (gloves, thermals, clothes, hand-warmers, etc.) in your vehicle in case of emergencies. Be wary of the warning signs for hypothermia which include shivering, loss of coordination, slurred speech, confusion, and shallow breathing. Hypothermia can be deadly, so don’t listen to anyone telling you to tough it out in the cold if you begin to experience any of these symptoms.

Finally, for your home, make sure your gutters are clean to prevent ice buildup on roofs and do a check-up on your heating system, including replacement of your air filter, as opportunities to open your windows and allow fresh air in will be few and far between.

Hopefully, this winter will be mild, like the past few seasons, but I wouldn’t count on it!