Thursday, January 23, 2025
Middlesex-London Health Unit
Health Unit Issues Cold Weather Alert Extension
The Health Unit will be extending the cold alert into Friday morning as the wind chill values are expected to reach -20°C overnight Thursday, into early morning on Friday, January 24th. However, we expect windchill values to warm up slightly throughout the day on Friday and the alert to end.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit issues Extended Cold Weather Alerts when any of the following conditions are met:
- Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts a low temperature of –15°C or lower,
- Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts a wind chill of -20°C or lower, or if
- Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a "Cold Alert" or "Cold Warning."
Prepare for extreme cold events every winter - it’s always a possibility in Ontario. There are numerous steps you can take both before and during this type of event:
- Stay in heated buildings as much as possible (your home, friend or family’s place, public buildings such as malls, libraries, etc.).
- Dress appropriately when going outside (multiple layers of loose-fitting clothes, toques, mittens, etc.) 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 london.ca/warming-centres.
For a list of Middlesex County Libraries, where residents can warm up, visit library.middlesex.ca/Locations.
For more information about extreme cold visit www.healthunit.com/extreme-cold.
Media Contact:
Kate Clarysse
Communications Coordinator
Middlesex-London Health Unit
media@mlhu.on.ca
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