Winter storms in Reno, Nevada, can create more than slippery roads and difficult commutes. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds, power outages, blocked roads, and prolonged periods indoors can create a range of health risks. Some dangers develop quickly, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or a cardiac event during snow removal. Others, including hypothermia, frostbite, medication interruptions, and seasonal depression, may develop more gradually.

Reno residents can reduce many of these risks by preparing before severe weather arrives and recognizing warning signs early. If you have a heart condition, check the Reno winter storm warning today before deciding whether to shovel. During severe weather, cold temperatures and strenuous activity can place additional stress on the cardiovascular system.

This guide explains the most important winter-storm health concerns for people living in Reno, including safe snow removal, cold-related injuries, carbon monoxide exposure, mental health, access to medications, and the role of hospitals during major weather emergencies.

Heart Attack Risk From Snow Shoveling

Snow shoveling may look like a routine household chore, but it can be surprisingly strenuous. The combination of physical exertion and cold temperatures can put substantial stress on the cardiovascular system. The American Heart Association notes that heavy snow shoveling can increase the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest, particularly among people who are not accustomed to strenuous exercise. Cold exposure can also cause blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to rise. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The risk can be greater when snow is wet, heavy, or deep. Shoveling also tends to involve repeated lifting and pushing with the upper body. People may unintentionally hold their breath while lifting a heavy shovel full of snow, further increasing cardiovascular strain.

People with known heart disease should be particularly cautious. Risk can also be higher for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, a history of smoking, or previous heart attack or stroke. The safest option for someone with significant cardiovascular risk may be to have another person handle snow removal.

How to shovel more safely

• Warm up gradually rather than immediately starting heavy work.
• Push snow when possible instead of repeatedly lifting and throwing it.
• Take frequent breaks indoors or in a warm area.
• Dress in several warm layers and protect your hands, ears, face, and feet.
• Avoid alcohol before or during snow removal.
• Stop immediately if you develop chest pressure, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, or palpitations.

Chest pressure or pain, particularly when accompanied by sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw, should be treated as a medical emergency. Call 911 rather than trying to drive yourself to an emergency department.

Hypothermia: Recognizing the Warning Signs

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Although it is associated with very cold conditions, it can also occur in less extreme temperatures when someone is wet, exhausted, inadequately dressed, or exposed for a prolonged period. CDC guidance notes that hypothermia can even occur above 40°F when a person becomes chilled by wet clothing, rain, sweat, or cold water. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

During a Reno winter storm, hypothermia can affect people who become stranded outdoors, lose home heating, spend too much time clearing snow, or have difficulty getting to a warm location. Older adults, infants, people without adequate heating, and people who spend extended periods outside can be especially vulnerable.

Common symptoms of hypothermia

• Shivering
• Extreme tiredness or exhaustion
• Confusion or unusual behavior
• Fumbling hands or poor coordination
• Memory problems
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• In severe cases, loss of consciousness

One dangerous feature of hypothermia is that the affected person may not recognize how sick they are. As body temperature falls, thinking and coordination can become impaired. A body temperature below 95°F is considered an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

What to do if hypothermia is suspected

Move the person to a warm, sheltered location and remove wet clothing. Cover them with dry blankets or clothing and focus on warming the center of the body. If the person is awake and able to swallow safely, warm nonalcoholic drinks may help. Do not give alcohol as a warming measure.

Severe hypothermia requires emergency medical care. Handle an unconscious or severely hypothermic person gently and call 911. Do not assume someone is beyond help simply because they appear extremely cold or unresponsive.

Frostbite Can Cause Permanent Tissue Damage

Frostbite is a freezing injury that most often affects exposed areas such as the fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. It can cause permanent tissue damage and, in severe cases, may result in amputation. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are therefore important. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Early frostbite may cause redness or pain, followed by numbness. More advanced frostbite can produce skin that appears white, grayish-yellow, or unusually waxy and firm. Because the affected tissue can become numb, a person may not realize how serious the injury is.

What to do for frostbite

Get indoors and seek medical care. If immediate medical attention is unavailable, the affected area can be gently warmed in warm, not hot, water. The water should feel comfortably warm to unaffected skin.

Do not rub or massage frostbitten skin. Do not rub it with snow. Avoid heating pads, heat lamps, radiators, fireplaces, or stoves because numb tissue can be burned without the person realizing it. If the feet or toes are frostbitten, avoid walking on them unless it is absolutely necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Frostbite can occur at the same time as hypothermia. If someone has signs of both, hypothermia is the more immediately life-threatening condition and requires urgent medical attention.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Power Outages

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is one of the most dangerous hidden hazards associated with winter storms. It is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause severe illness or death. Power outages can increase the danger because residents may turn to generators, grills, camp stoves, fireplaces, or other fuel-burning equipment for heat or electricity. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

A portable generator should never be operated inside a house, garage, basement, enclosed porch, or other enclosed area. CDC guidance recommends placing generators outdoors more than 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. A battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide detector should be installed in the home. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Blocked vents and chimneys can create another problem. Snow, ice, or debris can interfere with exhaust ventilation from fuel-burning appliances. If exhaust cannot escape properly, carbon monoxide may accumulate inside the building.

Recognizing CO poisoning

Symptoms can resemble the flu and may include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Severe poisoning can cause loss of consciousness, neurological problems, heart injury, coma, or death. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

If multiple people in the same home suddenly develop similar symptoms, particularly without fever, carbon monoxide should be considered. Leave the building and get into fresh air immediately. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care. Do not return indoors until authorities or qualified professionals indicate that it is safe.

Winter Storms and Seasonal Affective Disorder

Physical health is not the only concern during prolonged winter weather. Extended periods of darkness, reduced outdoor activity, social isolation, disrupted routines, and being confined indoors can affect mental health.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. Winter-pattern SAD commonly begins in late fall or early winter and may involve low mood, loss of interest, oversleeping, increased appetite, carbohydrate cravings, weight gain, low energy, and social withdrawal. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

A single snowstorm does not cause SAD, but prolonged periods of reduced daylight and activity may make existing seasonal symptoms more noticeable. Someone who is already vulnerable to depression may also struggle when storms repeatedly prevent normal exercise, work, social activities, or outdoor recreation.

Supporting mental health during extended storms

• Maintain a regular sleep and wake schedule.
• Open curtains and blinds during daylight hours.
• Stay connected with friends and family by phone or video when travel is unsafe.
• Maintain safe indoor physical activity when possible.
• Keep regular meals and limit excessive alcohol use.
• Continue prescribed mental-health treatment and medications.
• Talk with a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life.

Light therapy is one established treatment for winter-pattern SAD. NIMH describes the use of a properly designed bright-light box, commonly around 10,000 lux, for approximately 30 to 45 minutes in the morning. However, people with certain eye conditions or those taking medications that increase light sensitivity should discuss light therapy with a healthcare professional first. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

If depression becomes severe or someone is thinking about suicide or self-harm, seek immediate help. In the United States, people can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in a life-threatening emergency. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Medication and Pharmacy Access During Road Closures

A winter storm can create a health problem even when someone never goes outside: difficulty obtaining necessary medication. Icy roads, heavy snow, reduced transportation, power outages, and temporary pharmacy closures can make routine prescription pickup difficult.

People who take medications every day should prepare before major winter weather arrives. If possible, check prescription supplies ahead of a forecast storm and ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider whether an appropriate refill can be obtained early. This is especially important for medications that should not be stopped suddenly or treatments that must be taken on a strict schedule.

Keep an updated medication list that includes prescription names, doses, allergies, and prescribing providers. Store medications according to their labeled temperature and storage requirements, particularly if a power outage affects heating or refrigeration.

People who rely on refrigerated medications or medical equipment requiring electricity should have a storm-specific backup plan. Contact the prescribing clinician, pharmacy, or equipment provider before severe weather if you are uncertain about storage or backup options.

Do not ration prescription medication without professional advice. If roads become impassable and you are approaching a medication shortage, contact your pharmacy or healthcare provider as soon as possible rather than waiting until the supply is exhausted.

Hospital Emergency Preparedness in Reno

Hospitals and emergency medical services have to prepare for the same winter hazards affecting residents while simultaneously managing an increase in emergency demand. Severe storms can contribute to injuries from falls and crashes, cardiac events during snow removal, cold-related illnesses, carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory problems, and complications associated with power outages.

Emergency preparedness involves more than having enough beds. Healthcare facilities need plans for backup power, heating and cooling systems, medical equipment, oxygen supplies, communications, staffing, transportation, medication supplies, food and water, and continuity of critical services.

Storm conditions can also complicate the physical process of getting patients to medical care. Reno's winter road network includes city streets as well as routes maintained by other jurisdictions. The City of Reno operates snow and ice-control routes intended to maintain roadway access during adverse winter conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

For residents, this means an emergency plan should account for the possibility that normal travel may be delayed. Anyone with serious medical conditions should know which emergency department they would use and how they would contact emergency services if roads deteriorate.

People who require regular treatments, such as dialysis or other time-sensitive medical services, should speak with their healthcare providers about winter-weather contingency plans. CDC preparedness guidance also recommends identifying emergency departments and other necessary medical facilities before an emergency occurs. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Who Is Most Vulnerable During a Reno Winter Storm?

Although anyone can become ill during severe winter weather, certain groups deserve additional attention. Older adults may have difficulty sensing cold or maintaining body temperature. Infants cannot regulate temperature as effectively as adults. People with cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, diabetes, poor circulation, or mobility limitations may face additional risks.

People who live alone should also have a check-in plan. A neighbor, relative, friend, or caregiver can verify that the person has adequate heat, food, medication, and communication during a prolonged storm.

People experiencing homelessness or anyone who lacks reliable access to heating may face particularly serious exposure risks. Community organizations and local emergency services can play an important role in connecting vulnerable residents with safe shelter and other resources during severe weather.

When a Winter Storm Becomes a Medical Emergency

Do not wait for a storm to end before seeking emergency care when serious symptoms occur. Call 911 for signs of a heart attack, severe breathing difficulty, unconsciousness, severe confusion, suspected severe carbon monoxide poisoning, or life-threatening hypothermia.

Chest pain after snow shoveling deserves particular attention. Likewise, someone who becomes confused, extremely drowsy, or develops slurred speech after being exposed to cold may have hypothermia rather than simply being tired.

For carbon monoxide exposure, fresh air and emergency evaluation are essential. For frostbite, protect the injured tissue and obtain medical assessment rather than attempting aggressive home treatment.

Preparing a Winter Health Kit Before the Storm

A winter emergency kit should contain more than food and flashlights. Consider preparing supplies that support health and medical needs during several days of difficult travel.

• Prescription medications and a current medication list
• Battery-powered carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• First-aid supplies
• Thermometers
• Warm blankets and multiple layers of clothing
• Flashlights and spare batteries
• Phone chargers or backup battery packs
• Drinking water and shelf-stable food
• Essential medical equipment and backup power arrangements
• Contact information for doctors, pharmacies, caregivers, and emergency services

Before severe weather arrives, check heating equipment, make sure vents and chimneys can exhaust safely, and confirm that everyone in the household knows where emergency supplies are stored. If you use a generator, review its instructions before you need it and make sure everyone understands that it must remain outdoors and away from openings into the home.

Final Thoughts

Winter storms in Reno can affect health in several interconnected ways. Shoveling snow can place substantial stress on the heart. Prolonged cold exposure can cause hypothermia and frostbite. Power outages can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when heating equipment or generators are used incorrectly. Extended isolation and reduced daylight can also worsen seasonal depression symptoms, while road closures can interfere with access to pharmacies and medical care.

The best approach is to prepare before conditions deteriorate. Keep essential medications available, understand the symptoms of cold-related illness, avoid unnecessary outdoor exertion, use generators only in safe outdoor locations, maintain working carbon monoxide detectors, and have a plan for reaching emergency medical care.

Most importantly, do not let difficult weather discourage you from seeking emergency help when serious symptoms appear. Winter preparedness is ultimately about more than protecting property or staying comfortable. It is about recognizing health hazards early and having a plan that allows you and your family to remain safe when Reno's winter weather becomes severe.