A combination of frigid temperatures and bitterly cold winds that arrived in the London area with a nasty winter storm Friday will be sticking around longer than originally anticipated.
Environment Canada is calling for windchill values to be as low as minus 27 C Friday afternoon and minus 24 C on Saturday. That has prompted the Middlesex London Health Unit extend the one-day Cold Weather Alert, that was originally slated to end on Saturday, until Sunday morning.
Cold Weather Alerts are issued whenever forecasted temperatures are expected to drop to minus 15 C or when windchill values are expected to be minus 20 C or lower.
“As holiday season festivities begin so does winters cold temperatures and weather. With these changes, it can take a negative toll on our bodies and health if not properly protected,” said David Pavletic, the health unit’s food safety and healthy environments manager. “The Health Unit’s advice remains to limit any time you spend outdoors when Cold Weather Alerts are in effect. However, if it is necessary to be outdoors, remember to take the proper precautions to protect yourself, such as, dressing for the conditions and cover exposed skin to prevent cold-related illness or injuries.”
Health officials are recommending that anyone planning on being outside to make sure they dress warmly and watch for symptoms of frostbite. Those symptoms include skin turning red, blue or in later stages, grayish-white. Individuals may experience
pain, numbness and stiffness, especially in the fingers, toes, ears and nose, which are most
susceptible to the cold.
“If you suspect frostbite, warm the affected area by placing it next to warmer skin or immerse in warm, but not hot, water. Do not rub the affected area, and seek emergency medical treatment for cases of severe, blistering frostbite. The re-warming process
may take up to 60 minutes,” the health unit said.
There is also the risk of hypothermia during periods of extreme cold. Symptoms include pale skin, drowsiness, confusion and hallucinations. While individuals may shiver in the early stages of hypothermia, shivering may decrease as body temperature drops. In severe cases, individuals lose consciousness, their breathing becomes shallow and their pulse becomes irregular and hard to detect. Anyone with these symptoms requires emergency medical treatment in order to prevent coma or death.
In response to the cold weather alert, the City of London will be opening its warming centres. The three locations are as follows:
Stronach Arena at 1221 Sanford Street (9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Medway Arena at 119 Sherwood Forest Square (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Earl Nichols Arena at 799 Homeview Road (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
People looking to escape the cold can also head to any London Public Library to stay warm. Most branches are scheduled to be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
