Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning today (January 19) for all of southern Ontario, including the Kawarthas.
A period of very cold wind chills is expected as an Arctic air mass begins to move into southern Ontario today and remains in place throughout the weekend.
Wind chill values are expected to fall to close to -35°C overnight tonight, and overnight Sunday (January 20). Wind chill values overnight Monday are expected to be close to -30°C.
Conditions will improve by Tuesday when a milder air mass moves in.
The very cold wind chills, which can cause frostbite to develop within minutes, prompted Peterborough Public Health to issue its first frostbite alert of the season on Friday.
Frostbite risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter. And remember: if it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s also too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Take the extreme cold warning into account, particularly for young children, if you are planning to go outside to view the total lunar eclipse on Sunday night.
The extreme cold warning is in addition to a special weather statement from Environment Canada about periods of snow of up to 10 cm near Lake Ontario, with wind gusts resulting in blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Environment Canada issues extreme cold warnings when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.
