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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.