UPDATE: Extreme cold warning ended in Ottawa and the Valley
Posted Jan 10, 2022 07:39:00 PM.
UPDATE: An extreme cold warning, issued by Environment Canada for Ottawa and the Valley has ended.
The weather agency ended the warning at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 11.
Tuesday's high is expected to reach -18 degrees Celsius (C) with a wind chill of -31 C in Ottawa. Wednesday's high is zero.
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Environment Canada is warning residents across Ottawa and the Valley that it's going to be windy and bitterly cold for up to 36 hours.
Monday, January 10 and Tuesday are expected to bring temperatures between -25 degrees Celsius (C) and -32 C, with wind chills around -35 C.
The weather agency says it's the coldest air this region has seen so far this season.
Wind chills are expected to be at their coldest during the overnight hours and should improve after sunrise, Tuesday, to about -24 C.
Environment Canada says extreme cold puts everyone at risk.
It's asking residents to watch for cold-related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.
For anyone who has to go outside, the weather agency suggests dressing in layers that can be removed with the outer layer being wind resistant. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
Ottawa Public Health has issued a Frostbite Warning to ensure people take appropriate precautions before going outside and to encourage people experiencing homelessness to seek indoor shelter from the cold.
There are many City of Ottawa services available to help people experiencing homelessness:
- Emergency sleeping spaces in Ottawa shelters
- Street outreach services to encourage homeless people to come in from the cold
- Provision of emergency transportation and other services by the Salvation Army
To get assistance for someone who is homeless, concerned citizens are encouraged to call 311. Calls are answered by the City of Ottawa Call Centre on a priority basis and referrals are made to the appropriate services.
