Frigid temperatures in Ottawa but not enough for an extreme cold warning

It is feeling frosty with a windchill of -29 C in the nation’s capital on Tuesday morning.

According to Environment Canada there’s an expected mix of sun and cloud with temperatures warming slightly to -19 C by the afternoon. Despite the brisk 15 km/h wind, risk of frostbite and values dropping again overnight; it is not enough for the weather agency to issue an extreme cold warning for Ottawa.

The threshold for such a warning is -35 C or colder for at least two hours for southeastern Ontario.

Warnings blanket the rest of the province where temperatures range from -45 C in northern communities to -30 C in southwestern areas.

The polar vortex that has affected most of Ontario and Quebec is set to continue until Wednesday evening. In Ottawa on Jan 22, Environment Canada notes that it should be sunny, with clouds in the afternoon.

There will be a 20 km/h wind chill of -30 C in the morning and warming to -20 C in the afternoon. The weather agency warns a risk of frostbite is still possible.

By overnight Wednesday temperatures should warm to -13 C and continue increasing for Thursday with a high of -7 C.

The city is reminding residents to do everything they can to stay warm, and in the midst of initiating its winter service response, which provides additional capacity and services to those experiencing homelessness.

A temporary emergency overnight shelter is currently operating out of a federally-owned building at 250 Lanark Ave. This site will remain in operation until February. 

With files from CityNews’ Rachel Morgan.