3 Extreme Cold Weather Jobs You’ve Never Heard Of

Some of our most common services and commodities come from jobs that work under rigorous, cold weather conditions that can pose a serious challenge to those trying to work in such conditions. If you’re curious about how intense some of these jobs can get, here are three extreme cold weather jobs you’ve never heard of before.

Cold Storage Manager

We aren’t just talking about freezers you may find in grocery stores or restaurants. True cold storage reaches subzero temperatures and can reach temperatures as low as around -22 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 degrees Celsius). Imagine having to enter a freezer that has an airlock of three air-tight doors, and any exposed hair or facial hair begins to freeze and frost over in the span of half an hour. Cold storage managers require multiple layers of thermal insulation in order to safely operate these freezers and perform their jobs. All this is to store products like meat that we consume every single day.

Commercial Fishermen

Another extreme cold-weather job you’ve never heard of includes commercial fishing or crabbing. In fact, the weather itself may not even be extremely cold, but the freezing ocean water ensures everything is wet and makes the wind feel far, far colder than ever before. Such commercial fishing jobs often take place far out in the ocean where waves can get massive and spill over onto the deck. To do their jobs without freezing from being soaked to the bone, fishermen also wear thermal insulation and make use of gear like cold weather grip gloves that will ensure their hands are protected from the cold and can maintain grip strength despite slippery, wet surfaces.

Avalanche Forecaster

In order to keep people safe around avalanche conditions, avalanche forecasters brave extreme colds that can only be found up in the mountains. With fierce winds, it’s easy for avalanche forecasters to experience hypothermia as temperatures dip far below freezing temperatures to chart out the conditions of the environment and ensure everyone else is forewarned of the danger. Despite the weight, more layers are always better when trekking through mountainous regions, especially after snowstorms which further lower the temperature of the area.