Bitter cold temperatures and gusting winds are expected to continue in the London and Middlesex region over the weekend. Although the current Environment Canada forecast calls for conditions that don’t meet the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s threshold all through the weekend, temperatures and windchill values for tonight and Sunday night warrant extending the current Alert.

The forecast calls for temperatures to drop to -15°C tonight with a windchill of -23 that is expected to continue into the morning hours on Saturday; the overnight low for Sunday is expected to reach -15°C. These conditions have prompted the Health Unit to extend the current Cold Weather Alert until the morning of Monday, January 24.

The Health Unit issues Cold Weather Alerts when forecast temperatures are expected to drop to -15°C or lower, or when Environment Canada advises that windchill values are expected to be -20 or lower.

Anyone planning on being outdoors or taking part in winter activities over the weekend is reminded to prepare for the conditions, including dressing warmly in layers and limiting the amount of time spent outdoors.

Cold conditions and strong winds can damage exposed skin and lead to frostbite. Symptoms of frostbite include skin turning red, blue or in later stages, grayish-white. Individuals may experience pain, numbness and stiffness, especially in the fingers, toes, ears and nose, which are most susceptible to the cold. If you suspect frostbite, warm the affected area by placing it next to warmer skin or immerse in warm, but not hot, water. Do not rub the affected area, and seek emergency medical treatment for cases of severe, blistering frostbite. The re-warming process may take up to 60 minutes.

Hypothermia can happen when a person’s internal body temperature drops below normal. Symptoms include pale skin, drowsiness, confusion and hallucinations. While individuals may shiver in the early stages of hypothermia, shivering may decrease as body temperature drops. In severe cases, individuals lose consciousness, their breathing becomes shallow and their pulse becomes irregular and hard to detect. Anyone with these symptoms requires emergency medical treatment in order to prevent coma or death.

For a list of warming centres in the City of London, please visit: https://london.ca/warming-centres

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit
519-663-5317 extension 2469 or 519-617-0570

Spokesperson:
David Pavletic, Environmental Health Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit