Northern Ontario braces for extreme cold this weekend as wind chills approach -40°C. Experts warn residents to bundle up and limit outdoor exposure.
Bitter Cold Grips Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is plunging into record-setting cold, with wind chills in some areas approaching a staggering –40°C. Early Saturday morning, residents woke to an icy landscape as frigid air swept across the region, making even brief outdoor trips risky.
In Muskoka–Huntsville, wind chill readings hovered around –28°C, while Barrie-area residents are expected to feel temperatures near –30°C, according to Environment Canada.
Early Morning Hours Pose the Biggest Risk
Forecasters say the most dangerous cold will hit during the early morning hours, with similar extreme conditions expected again Saturday night. Anyone venturing outside is urged to take extra precautions, especially during these peak-cold periods.
Health Risks of Extreme Cold
Extreme cold isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. Health officials warn that frostbite and hypothermia can develop within minutes. Signs to watch for include:
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Muscle pain or weakness
Numbness or color changes in fingers and toes
Experts stress the importance of staying indoors whenever possible and ensuring exposed skin is fully covered.
Safety Tips for Residents
Environment Canada urges residents to:
Bundle up in multiple warm layers
Limit outdoor activity
Check on elderly family, friends, and neighbors
Ensure pets are indoors during extreme cold
For those who must work outdoors, taking frequent warm-up breaks is essential to prevent cold-related injuries. As the agency bluntly warns: “If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet, too.”
Weekend Outlook
The chill isn’t letting up soon. Bone-chilling wind chills and icy temperatures are expected to linger throughout the weekend, making safety precautions more critical than ever. Staying informed and prepared could make all the difference in weathering this Arctic blast.
