Cases of frostbite are somewhat rare, but they are dangerous. The National Weather Service's wind chill chart shows that at 0° Fahrenheit, a 15 mile-per-hour wind will produce a wind chill factor of -19°. Under those conditions, exposed skin can freeze solid in about 30 minutes.
Frostbite can come with a delayed reaction, said Dr. Thomas Hindsley, an emergency room physician at Truman Medical Center.
"(Frostbite) doesn't necessarily spike during cold waves," Hindsley said. "Sometimes we'll see people in the aftermath realize they've got frostbite or that kind of thing, but we don't see a lot of super cold people come in during the cold."
At first, frostbite can turn the skin yellow or white, and may produce a stinging sensation. The danger lies in prolonged exposure, when the skin can go numb.
Doctors say the most vulnerable areas are the fingers, toes and the tip of the nose, so it is a good idea to cover those areas in multiple layers.Pets are also susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, if they are not protected from the cold.
"(Provide) an insulated doghouse or a cat condo, where a cat can get out of the elements, and be sure to have straw and blankets, and see that they have access to fresh, not frozen, water," said Tori Fugate, with KC Pet Project.
It can be difficult to tell when a pet is in danger, but there are warning signs.
"If they have a bluish or white tint to their skin that you can see, that means that there's a lack of blood flow there," Fugate said.
Fugate recommends warming the animal with a warm towel, straight from the dryer, and seek veterinary care immediately.