Staying Warm Will Be Difficult Task At Heinz Field

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Heinz Field will be a very frigid place to watch a football game Sunday evening, and any fan not dressed for the occasion could be asking for trouble.

Hopefully the Steelers will keep fans in a frenzy during the AFC Championship showdown with the New York Jets so they won't think about the extreme temperatures.

However, the best advice for anyone going to the game is to use common sense and be prepared.

The sunny skies over downtown Pittsburgh Saturday morning may have fooled some people, but right now the city is caught in a deep freeze. The forecast is calling for winter's arctic grip to hold on for kickoff and through Sunday's game.

When Claude Council Sr. and his son arrived in town from Nevada and Texas today, they immediately stocked up on warm Steelers gear.

"I have fleece jackets that say Steelers, fleece shirts – so I'm going to be layered up," said Council. "They're going to have to peel me out of the stuff after the game."

"I'll probably be just as layered down, if not more," said Claude Council Jr.

Tim Wilson, from Yonkers, New York, came prepared for the high winds whipping off the Ohio River.

"I've got on two warm-up suits," said Wilson while showing off his layers. "I got on my Notre Dame jacket, Boston Celtics and the guy announcing the game tomorrow, Phil Sims."

Local emergency room doctors have already treated a variety of cold weather-related illnesses from frostbite to patients becoming unconscious with low body temperatures.

Dr. Fred Harkelroad says dressing in layers is a good idea.

Also, experts say any fans planning to drink alcohol before, during or after the game should be cautious. Doctors say drinking too much could make you more susceptible to cold-related injuries.

"Your body temperature drops much faster when there's a lot of alcohol in it," added Dr. Harkelroad. "Even though you feel warmer, it dilates your blood vessels. You lose heat a lot faster the higher the alcohol level is in your blood."