conditions Temperature, wind, snow, and thaw are the primary conditions that affect the winter battlescape. Temperature The US Army groups cold temperatures using categories. The temperature categories are (with quoted summaries): Wet cold – From . Wet cold conditions occur when wet snow and rain often accompany wet cold conditions. This type of environment is more dangerous to troops and equipment than the colder, dry cold environments because the ground becomes slushy and muddy and clothing and equipment becomes perpetually wet and damp. Dry cold – From . Dry cold conditions are easier to live in than wet cold conditions. Like in wet cold conditions, proper equipment, training and leadership are critical to successful operations. Wind chill is a complicating factor in this type of cold. The dry cold environment is the easiest of the four cold weather categories to survive in because of low humidity and the ground remains frozen. As a result, people and equipment are not subject to the effects of the thawing and freezing cycle, and precipitation is generally in the form of dry snow. Intense cold – From . This temperature range can affect the mind as much as the body. Simple tasks take longer and require more effort than in warmer temperatures and the quality of work degrades as attention-to-detail diminishes. Clothing becomes more bulky to compensate for the cold so troops lose dexterity. Commanders consider these factors when planning operations and assigning tasks. Extreme cold – From . In extreme cold the challenge of survival becomes paramount as personnel withdraw into themselves. Weapons, vehicles and munitions are likely to fail in this environment. Hazardous cold – From and below. Units require extensive training before operating in these temperature extremes. The combined cooling effect of ambient temperature and wind (wind chill) is an important factor that affects troops. Snow For military purposes, the US Army categorizes snow as light, moderate, or heavy. Each classification affects visibility and ground movement due to accumulation and is quoted below: Light snow – Visibility is equal to or greater than in falling snow. A trace to per hour accumulates. Moderate snow – Visibility is in falling snow. per hour accumulates. Heavy snow – Visibility is less than in falling snow. or more inches per hour accumulates. Snow and snowdrifts can create advantages on the battlefield by filling in ditches and vehicle tracks and flattening the terrain. It also