Despite a week of accumulating snow, the worst of that winter weather is yet to come.

Temperatures and wind chill are expected to plunge below zero in the coming days.

QuickMed Urgent Care medical director Dr. Lauren Weber says those polar conditions can pose dangers to your health.

"Once we get down into the negative numbers, you're really at risk for developing frostbite in as little as 30 minutes," she noted.

Frostbite can appear anywhere on the body. But fingers, toes, and other extremities are typically the first to be affected by by the cold.

"Once you start developing some numbness or if your skin is turning white and waxy, that is really setting into frostbite and you need to get yourself indoors," Dr. Weber said.

If you can see your breath, you should should also watch out for your lung health. Breathing cold air can irritate your airways and cause tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing - which can pose a greater risk to those with heart or lung conditions.

"On these cold days if they're shoveling, really exerting themselves, that could be a really big oxygen demand on the body and on their lungs and heart," Weber added.

If you must be outside, make sure to bundle up to lower your risk of hypothermia. Dr. Weber recommends layering warm clothing, wearing a hat or ear muffs, and mittens.

And if you feel you may be suffering from a cold related emergency, you should focus on preserving body heat in your core with blankets or lukewarm pads before attempting to arm your hands, feet, arms, or legs.

"It can be really dangerous if you're in that severe frostbite or hypothermia to warm the extremities first," Dr. Weber tells 21 News. "So that may be something you may need to visit the hospital for."