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
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.