Cold warning in place for southwestern Ontario, as temperatures plunge

Bundle up, southwestern Ontario: Environment Canada is warning of “bitterly cold” conditions across the region Friday into Saturday morning.

Wind chill values could reach between - 30 and -33, and winds are expected to gust up to 50 km/h. Daytime temperatures “will remain cold with the brisk winds, followed by falling temperatures this evening,” Environment Canada warns. 

A yellow cold warning is in place for Windsor-Essex, Sarnia Lambton and Chatham-Kent. 

While Environment Canada recommends people stay indoors as much as possible, some still have to work regardless of the weather.

Sahin Kanwar works at a car wash in Windsor, helping people get the snow and salt off their vehicles. He said he was wearing four layers.

"It's like super freezing out here," he said.

Joe Shuttleworth, who installs fibre optic cable on telephone poles, said he was wearing "fully insulated gear" and heavy duty boots. He says he tries to keep moving to stay warm as well.

He said he's seen colder weather on the job but, "This is getting pretty cold. Tomorrow will be colder."

Frostbite can develop within minutes

Environment Canada urges people to watch for cold-related symptoms in themselves and others: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour changes in extremities. 

People should check in on older family, friends and neighbours, and people should cover up, the agency said.

“Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill."

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit also issued a cold warning Thursday, and the City of Windsor has opened additional shelter beds in preparation. The Downtown Mission has also activated its cold weather protocol and is asking for donations to help support the extra need. 

The Salvation Army Windsor Centre of Hope says it has opened its warming centre, which provides space for up to 20 people to stay overnight. The warming centre will be open until the end of March.

People can find a list of places to stay warm on the health unit's webpage, and a full list of emergency shelters and overnight drop-in programs is also available on the city's website.