Extreme Cold Weather Forecasted for Halton

If you were planning to spend some time outside tonight, you might want to postpone for now.

If you were planning to spend some time outside tonight, you might want to postpone for now.

Although temperatures are currently an already icy -7 C, they’re expected to plummet to a horrid -15 C overnight. That means that an extreme cold weather alert will be in effect for Oakville, Burlington and Milton.

Halton residents should note that temperatures are expected to drop drastically overnight. 

The Weather Network confirmed that extremely cold temperatures have “flooded into southern Ontario, prompting an extreme cold weather alert from Toronto’s medical officer.”

The Weather Network added that “temperatures will plummet Wednesday as the coldest air of the season leaves daytime highs fighting to rise above the -10 C mark across southern Ontario, with wind chills of -15 C to -20 C.”

It’s important to be mindful during extremely cold weather and to stay indoors as much as possible. 

Residents should dress to suit the weather by wearing multiple layers of loose fitting clothes, (including a hat, scarf and mittens) and cover up as much exposed skin as possible.

Residents should also remember to drink warm fluids that do not include caffeinated and alcoholic beverages (as they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly).

Residents should also bring in pets without adequate shelter.

Here are some tips from Halton Region.

Stay warm, everyone!

What are cold-related injuries?

Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and colour in affected areas, most often the body parts furthest from the heart: hands, feet, nose, and ears. At the first sign of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin, as frostbite may be setting in.

If you suspect that frostbite has set in:

• Get to a warm room as soon as possible.

• Wrap yourself in blankets or reheat your body by skin-to-skin contact with another person.

• Use underarms to warm hands if needed.

• Place injured skin in warm – not hot – water.

• Do not rub, massage or shake the injured skin. This can cause more damage.

• If toes or feet are frostbitten, try not to walk on them unless absolutely necessary.

Severe frostbite can cause serious health complications if not treated immediately. If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek medical advice:

• a white or grayish-yellow skin area.

• skin that feels unusually firm or waxy.

• numbness.

Hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. There are three stages of hypothermia progressing from mild (shivering, goosebumps) to more severe symptoms (difficulty speaking, thinking and walking).

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you suspect that someone may have hypothermia.

While waiting for help:

• move the person to a warm place.

• gently remove any wet clothing.

• use several layers of blankets and warm the person gradually.

• give them sweet and warm beverages if they are alert.

• Don’t fight shivering – the body uses this to increase core temperature.

How to prevent cold-related injury

• Dress appropriately when going outside – frostbite can occur within minutes.

• Cover exposed skin using multiple layers of loose-fitting clothes with a wind-resistant outer layer, a hat, mittens, and scarf.

• If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you’re wet.

• Drink warm fluids – but NO alcohol or caffeinated beverages, as they cause your body to lose heat faster.

• Keep moving – especially your hands and feet.

• Take shelter from the wind to reduce wind chill exposure.

• Keep your vehicle well-maintained.

• Prepare emergency kits for your home and car.

• Always be on the lookout for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

• Plan ahead and check the weather forecast.