Cold wave is a type of weather phenomenon which can be noticed as a significant cooling of air. It is a weather condition which is marked by an entry of a very cold mass of air in a large area. A Cold wave may also be a lengthy period of extremely cold and bad weather. This sort of weather can also produce winds that lead to strong wind chills. Cold waves can also occur before or after major winter weather phenomena like ice storms and blizzards.

Effects Of Cold Wave :

•  Sudden cold waves can have detrimental effects on human beings. A cold wave that is unexpected can cause frost bites, hypothermia or other serious medical aliments.

•  A lot of damage is caused to animals and wildlife. When a cold wave comes along with heavy and incessant snowfall animals may not be able to graze and thus die out of starvation. In order to feed livestock, farmers have to pay high prices for buying their food.

•  There can be cases of damage when water pipelines freeze and burst.

•  There is a rise in the demand for fuels and electricity.

•  Motor vehicles are unable to function and there is a serious transportation problem.

•  Cold temperature may cause certain metals to become brittle.

•  In such weather, firefighting becomes a very big problem as most of the water pipes get damaged. The fire is more severe since the air is dense with more oxygen.

•  Unpredicted cold waves can kill a lot of plants and destroy crops. This can lead to famines.

Places Affected by Cold Waves :

•  Siberia

•  New England

•  Canada

•  USA

•  Russia

A cold wave can create havoc with its hazardous properties, so sufficient measure should be taken to counteract its harmful effects.