Ravens Insider: Frozen flock: How to stay warm during Saturday’s freezing Ravens playoff game

[ExtremeRavens]

Ravens fans need to plan ahead to stay warm and loud for Saturday’s playoff game against the Texans.

Baltimore will be freezing with a forecast temperature below 25 degrees at the 4:30 p.m. kickoff. Meanwhile, wind gusts as strong as 31 mph are expected to swirl around M&T Bank Stadium.

The wind will make temperatures feel 10 to 15 degrees colder, National Weather Service meteorologist Luis Rosa said, making frostbite and hypothermia a real threat to fans.

“Cover your fingers. Cover your face. Bundle up and drink a lot of hot chocolate,” Rosa said. “By sunset, it’s going to be around 10 degrees with the wind chill. It’s going to be so windy.”

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By the time fans head home, temps will be headed into the teens.

While the Ravens have not shared any special exceptions or plans for the cold, such as warming centers or warm drinks, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips to fight the cold and keep cheering for the home team.

Layer, layer, layer

The simplest and best practice in the face of freezing temperatures is to dress in layers, at least three of them. Avoid a cotton shirt as a base layer as it traps moisture.

“The most important thing is to layer with a good base layer,” said Alan Davis, president of Princeton Sports, a third-generation, family-owned sporting goods shop in Baltimore that’s been in business since 1936.

Polyester, wool or synthetic materials that breathe and don’t cause sweat function best. The second layer should be a thick sweater or fleece, preferably with a hood, covered by a warm shell of an outer layer to serve as a windbreaker.

“Your top layer should not only be insulated but it should also be something that is windproof, that can cut the wind so you’re able to hold your body heat,” Davis said.

Fingers and toes

Outdoors experts also recommend three layers for feet — two pairs of socks and boots. The first pair of socks should be light and then covered by a thicker material for the second. Davis recommends wool socks that will keep feet dry. “Because cotton will absorb moisture and moisture will get cold and then you’ll be freezing.”

Fans should also wear two layers on their hands, ideally a lightweight lining glove covered by mittens, which keep fingers in close proximity so they can share the warmth.

Keep your head

Ears, cheeks and noses are all prone to frostbite. On Saturday, Ravens fans should combine a hood with a winter hat and use a neck gaiter to protect their face. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, children lose more heat through their heads than adults. So it’s most important that kids have a hat or a hood. Also, wearing a scarf will help warm the air you breathe.

Cardboard?

The Kansas City Chiefs, whose fanbase is battle-tested in freezing playoff games, allowed fans to bring 3-inch by 5-inch pieces of cardboard into last weekend’s playoff game, when temperatures dipped below 0. Standing on cardboard helps the body maintain heat as the airy material acts as an insulator that prevents warm air from escaping to cold concrete floors.

Drink warm, non-alcoholic drinks

While warm drinks can help increase body temperature, Johns Hopkins Medicine says it’s a myth that drinking alcohol will keep you toasty. “Drinking alcohol may make you feel warm because it causes blood to rush to your skin’s surface. But it actually causes your blood vessels to widen and makes you lose heat faster.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends eating well-balanced meals before heading out and avoiding both alcohol and caffeine, which cause the body to lose heat faster.

Davis understands fans want to celebrate but says alcohol is no match for high-quality outwear. “What’s going to be more fun than to drink while we’re kicking their butts? But it’s not going to help you stay warm.”

Michelle Deal-Zimmerman contributed to this article.

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