Cornwall Ontario – The River City nearly broke it’s record for coldest day. As of 5AM the temperature is -29c with a high of only -20c predicted for Thursday as Eastern Ontario is held in the grip of a Polar Vortex which won’t end before the New Year.
The record cold officially is -29.5c set in 1993.
Watch out for Frostbite!
Warnings
2:45 AM EST Thursday 28 December 2017
Extreme Cold Warning in effect for:
- Cornwall – Lancaster
- Maxville – Alexandria
- Morrisburg – Long Sault
- Winchester – Newington
A period of very cold wind chills is expected.
Wind chill values of minus 35 or below are occurring this morning.
Wind chills will moderate during daytime hours today. However, wind chill values between minus 30 and 35 are expected again tonight.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk.
Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.
Dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind resistant.
Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets and jumper cables.
If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.