Winter officially starts on December 21. Judy Van Hulzen, RN with Marion County Public Health says that when the weather is very cold, the elderly and the very young, or those with mental illness are particularly susceptible to hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses, because they might not feel it as fast. She says signs of hypothermia are shivering, clumsiness, lack of coordination, slurred speech and as hypothermia progresses, the shivering might stop. Frostbite is another concern in cold weather. She says frostbitten skin will look white and waxy, and may be painful. Both conditions should be evaluated and treated by a medical professional.