Dressing for a New England winter: the National Weather Service's layering rules

The first hard frosts are arriving across Massachusetts, and with them the annual question of how to dress for a commute that can swing from raw drizzle to biting wind. The National Weather Service (NWS) keeps its advice simple.

Build in layers

The NWS recommends several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting, warm clothing rather than a single bulky garment. Layers trap warm air between them, and you can peel one off on a crowded T car or add one at a windy bus stop.

A winter statement from the agency's New York office adds that the outermost layer should be wind- and waterproof.

Cover the edges

According to the NWS:

• Wear a warm hat.
• Cover ears, nose, fingers and toes, which are most exposed.
• Choose mittens over gloves; the agency says they are warmer.
• If you get wet, change into dry clothes as soon as you are inside.

Know the warning signs

The agency notes hypothermia can happen at temperatures as high as 60°F when someone is wet or underdressed for a long time, a real concern on damp November days here.

For frostbite, the NWS says to get indoors, avoid rubbing the area and warm it gently, not with hot water or heating pads. It advises immediate medical help for suspected hypothermia.