Northern Ontario Faces Extreme Cold Weather This Week

More than a dozen communities across northern Ontario are under extreme cold warnings, as temperatures between -40 and -50 C with the wind chill are expected Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the yellow-level warnings Monday morning. The impact level is considered moderate and forecast confidence is high.

“A period of very cold wind chills is expected,” the warning says. “The coldest wind chill values are expected for areas close to James Bay and Hudson Bay.”

Affected communities include:

Attawapiskat. Fort Albany. Fort Hope – Lansdowne House – Ogoki. Fort Severn. Fraserdale – Pledger Lake. Kapuskasing – Hearst – Smooth Rock Falls. Kirkland Lake – Englehart. Little Abitibi – Kesagami Lake. Manitouwadge – Hornepayne. Moosonee. Nakina – Aroland – Pagwa. Peawanuck. Timmins – Cochrane – Iroquois Falls. Webequie.Nicole Chantal Pauluzzo says she almost lost two of her fingers to frostbite during a cold spell in Thunder Bay in January. (Sarah Law/CBC)

Communities including Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Moosonee, Peawanuck and Webequie are expecting the coldest temperatures, with wind chill values between -45 and -50 C. Other areas can expect wind chills near -40 C.

Parts of northern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec are also affected.

People are urged to watch for cold-related symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

“Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill,” the warning says. 

Those at greatest risk include young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

Environment and Climate Change Canada encourages people to check on their older family, friends and neighbours, and to bring their pets inside during extreme cold conditions.

“Watch for colour changes on fingers and toes, pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, or swelling. If present, move indoors and begin warming.”

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