You helped me a lot with my move! I appreciate it.
The forecast for my area next week has temps as low as -20F (-28C), with a lower windchill (I think around -30F/-34C). We will have snow on the ground but I don't believe it is expected to snow on the coldest days. Side note - we are around 4500ft/1372m above sea level.
So far the winter has been pretty mild and hasn't gone below 0F/-17C at all. Snow has also been sparse with I think less than 2 inches (5cm) each time, quickly melting. So I haven't gotten a chance to really get used to such cold temps. We can get some pretty fast winds. I think it mostly sticks between 20-25 mph (32-40 kph). Also a very arid climate. I have a hard time getting my home above 30% humidity. Not sure on the outdoor numbers.
Is there anything different I should be doing for myself and for my dogs? I feel like these temps are dangerous for exposed skin? Not sure.
One of my dogs has medium length hair and the other one is short hair.
For me I have stuff like longjohns, thicker sweatpants, sweatshirts, windbreaker, I also have a wool coat. Then like thicker socks and some fur lined boots. - I'm thinking I need to add a scarf or something for my face and then also make myself wear gloves? I have some sheepskin gloves so I was thinking of putting on like regular winter gloves and then the sheepskin over it?
For the dogs they have a wind resistant fur lined coat and then some winter shoes. So I'm guessing they need something for their head - I have a soft head covering for them but it is slightly too big and keeps falling over their eyes when we practice wearing it. Do I need to get them something that covers their legs and belly better as well?
I was also wondering if I should even be taking them out at all when it's that cold. I mean I know it is that cold often elsewhere but they are used to the dry heat of the south of the US and I don't want them to end up not wanting to go outside ever again haha.
I still feel very unprepared for winter weather so I hope my fellow Lemmings can help!
My dog has a coat with access to do potty as she pleases. She's not super keen on the cold to begin with either. ๐