After a mild start to winter, bitter windchill values have returned to London and Middlesex County, prompting the Health Unit to issue the first Cold Weather Alert for 2024. In Strathroy and Western Middlesex County, windchill values have plunged to –22, and in these areas the Alert is in effect all day, overnight, and into tomorrow. The Alert will come into effect in London and Eastern Middlesex County around 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon when windchill values are forecast to reach –22 and keep dropping overnight. The Alert will remain in place until windchill values climb above the Health Unit threshold of –20.

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.

During extreme cold events, there are numerous steps you can take to protect yourself and others:
• Stay in heated buildings as much as possible, including your home, friend or family’s place, public buildings such as malls, libraries, etc.
• Dress in multiple layers of loose-fitting clothes when going outside and cover up all exposed skin since, in extreme cold, frostbite can occur within minutes.
• Drink warm fluids but avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, as they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly.
• Avoid strenuous exercise while out in the cold as much as possible.
• Know the weather forecast and avoid travelling when extreme weather is predicted.
• Prepare your home and car for winter.

Seek help if you experience any of the following symptoms of cold illness:
• Hypothermia: Symptoms/signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.
• Frostbite: Symptoms/signs include white/grayish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

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

For more information about extreme cold visit: https://www.healthunit.com/extreme-cold

Media Contact:
Alison Locker, Manager On-Call, Middlesex-London Health Unit
manageroncall@mlhu.on.ca or 519-617-0551

Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit