Temperatures to drop to -30 C the next two nights in Ottawa
A blast of cold Arctic air moved into the Ottawa area Thursday evening, with temperatures set to drop to -30 C over the next two nights.
Ottawa could see its coldest temperatures in years as the polar vortex strengths over the region. Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for the region calling for wind chill values of -40 to -45 Thursday night and Friday morning.
"After moderating during the day Friday, wind chills are again forecast to reach near minus 40 Friday night into Saturday morning," Environment Canada said.
"Those wind chills are quite concerning," David Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada, told CTV Morning Live. "This certainly will be the coldest moment of the winter."
The forecast calls for a low of -30 C on Thursday night, with the wind chill making it feel like -41 degrees. Friday's high will be -25 C ,with the wind chill making it feel like -43 degrees.
Ottawa Public Health has issued a frostbite warning until further notice due to the cold temperatures.
Ottawa is expected to see wild temperature changes over the next few days.
"It's about as close as we get to what we call an Eastern Chinook," Phillips told CP24.
The daytime high will be -25C on Friday, warming up to -14 C on Saturday, before temperatures hit 1 C on Sunday and 0 C on Monday.
Snow squall warning in effect
Environment Canada has also issued a snow squall warning for the region, saying brief, intense snowfall is expected to develop Thursday afternoon and evening.
The weather agency is warning of snow accumulations of up to 5 cm in an hour or two and wind gusts up to 70 km/h.
"Bands of heavy snow are moving through southern Ontario with the passage of an arctic cold front. Heavy snow combined with westerly winds gusting to 60 km/h could produce significantly reduced visibilities at times," Environment Canada said.
"Bitterly cold air will follow in the wake of the front, with very cold wind chill values expected tonight into Friday morning."
Temperature to drop Thursday night
By Thursday evening the temperature will drop dramatically with an overnight low of -29 C. The wind chill will make it feel more like -40 and frostbite could develop within minutes.
Friday’s forecast high of -26 C, and the wind chill will make it feel more like -42. It will be sunny but windy with gusts up to 50 kilometres per hour.
Skies will stay clear Friday evening and temperatures will drop to -27 C overnight.
"Dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind resistant," Environment Canada said. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin.
Warmer weekend
Things will warm up slightly on Saturday with sunny skies and a high of -14 C.
On Sunday, temperatures will rocket back up to above freezing. The high that day is 1 C, with a 70 per cent chance of snow.
Tips to prevent frostbite
Ottawa Public Health offers the following tips to prevent frostbite during the extreme cold temperatures.
- Get to a warm area before frostbite sets in. If it's too cold outside, consider staying indoors.
- Keep extra mittens and gloves in the car, house or school bag.
- Wear larger sized mittens over your gloves.
- Wear a hat.
- Wear a neck warmer to protect the chin, lips and cheeks.
- Wear waterproof winter boots with room for an extra layer of socks.
- Make sure you are able to wiggle your toes in your boots.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.