Rescue and recovery teams are battling frigid water temperatures and hypothermia risks following the crash of a commercial airplane into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, the water temperature in the Potomac River near the crash site ranges from 33-36°F, significantly increasing the risk of cold water shock and hypothermia for possible survivors and first responders.
“At these frigid water temperatures, the human body’s core temperature quickly drops. Exhaustion or unconsciousness can occur in as little as 15 to 30 minutes,” said Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather’s Senior Director of Forecast Operations.
READ: Plane Crashes Into Potomac River After Midair Collision Near Reagan National Airport
Despite the severe cold in the water, sky conditions were clear at the time of the crash near Reagan National Airport. The air temperature was near 50°F, with winds from the WNW at 16 mph. No immediate adverse weather is expected to hinder recovery efforts overnight into Thursday, although rain is forecasted to arrive early Friday morning.
However, this January has been significantly colder than usual in Washington, D.C., leading to ice buildup on portions of the Potomac River. DePodwin noted that water temperatures are nearly 10 degrees colder than this time last year, due to persistent Arctic blasts.
Cold water shock is a critical concern for those who may have survived the impact of the crash. The initial shock of plunging into near-freezing waters can cause an involuntary gasp reflex, which can be fatal if inhaling water. Additionally, cold water shock leads to hyperventilation and difficulty staying afloat, making self-rescue nearly impossible.
Beyond cold water shock, hypothermia can set in within minutes, gradually weakening the body and leading to loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest if victims are not rescued quickly.
The Potomac River has been the site of past aviation disasters, including the infamous Air Florida Flight 90 crash on January 13, 1982. That accident, caused by icing on the aircraft, resulted in 78 fatalities, including four on the ground, with only five survivors.
“This tragedy appears to be the worst commercial aviation disaster in the U.S. since Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo in February 2009,” DePodwin stated.
Rescue teams, including local and federal emergency responders, the Coast Guard, and divers, are continuing search and recovery operations in the dangerous conditions.
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