So this is winter.

After Albert Lea temperatures reached 6 below zero overnight with wind chills of 19 degrees below zero, it’s safe to state the obvious: 1. It’s cold, and 2. Winter is likely here to stay.

It’s time to dig out the mittens, the gloves, the extra layers and prepare for the long haul of cold and snow.

November teased us with abnormally warm weather. A month ago on Nov. 14, the high in Albert Lea was 50 degrees. Nov. 15 hit 60.

All that’s to say that our December cold stretch is likely to feel a bit more jarring than the typical January or February blast of bitter temperatures. With the exception of Friday, highs will barely reach the single digits with lows below zero though Sunday. And oh yeah, the warm day on Friday could bring heavy snow and blustery winds.

As always, this is the time of year we need to be mindful and careful when venturing out and about, whether it’s during snow or cold.

To help our readers shift into the winter mindset, here are some tips from www.ready.gov on how to prepare and face the winder conditions during snowstorms and extreme cold:

• Stay indoors whenever possible.

• Walk carefully on snowy, icy, walkways.

• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

Signs of Frostbite: Occurs when the skin and body tissue just beneath it freezes. Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face, and the tip of the nose.

• What to do: Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area in an attempt to warm it up. Seek medical help immediately.

• Signs of hypothermia: Dangerously low body temperature. Uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.

• What to do: If symptoms of hypothermia are detected take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, seek medical attention immediately. Get the victim to a warm location. Remove wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping the person in blankets or putting on dry clothing. Give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Seek medical help immediately.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that if you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.

• Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: Travel in the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.

• Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

• If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).

• Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.

• Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.

• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.