It's the coldest Feb. 4 in 100 years but it will get warmer
Ottawa is experiencing its coldest Feb. 4 in 100 years.
The temperature at 6 a.m. at was -32.2 C, according to environment Canada, the coldest it has been since 1923, when a temperature of -36.1 C was recorded.
An extreme cold warning was in effect most of the morning, but ended just after 11 a.m. Ottawa Public Health has also issued a frostbite warning.
The wind chill at 11 a.m. was -34. It was -40 at 7 a.m.
Despite the bone-chilling cold, warmer days are ahead. The weather forecast for the capital calls for a high of -14 C Saturday (which is typically the average low for this time of year) with a good chance of light snow in the afternoon.
The polar vortex should recede overnight as the temperature rises to -7 C by Sunday morning. Sunday's high is a relatively tropical 1 C, with about 2 to 4 cm of snow in the forecast.
Monday's outlook is sunny with a high of -6 C, and then clouds and snow return Tuesday with a high of 3 C. Wednesday could see a bit of sun and a high around 0.
WINTERLUDE EVENTS TO RESUME
Winterlude's outdoor winter attractions will open to the public Saturday, after the extreme cold weather cancelled all outdoor activities on the opening day of the winter festival in Ottawa and Gatineau.
Events are expected to be delayed.
TIPS TO PREVENT FROSTBITE
The extreme cold means exposed skin can freeze within minutes and frostbite is a very real risk.
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
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.