Extreme cold warnings are crucial for public safety during harsh winter conditions
Toronto: Every winter, Canadians face cold temperatures. But when does it get dangerously cold? Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) steps in to issue “extreme cold” warnings when the chill becomes a health risk.
Canada is huge, and what feels cold in one area might be just a regular winter day in another. So, how does ECCC decide when to issue these warnings? It’s all about understanding the local climate norms.
Unlike blizzards, which have clear definitions, “cold” is subjective. ECCC looks at seasonal averages for each region to set their extreme cold thresholds. For instance, what’s considered extreme in Toronto might be just another chilly day in Iqaluit.
To issue a warning, temperatures need to stay at or below the extreme cold threshold for at least two hours. They also consider wind chill. In southern Ontario, if it feels like -30°C or colder for two hours, a warning goes out.
In the northern regions, like Nunavut, the bar is set even lower. If it feels like -55°C or colder for two hours, that’s when ECCC issues a warning.
It’s worth noting that extreme cold warnings differ from cold weather alerts. While ECCC handles the extreme cold warnings, local municipalities set their own criteria for cold weather alerts, which help activate community services like warming centers.
Regardless of where you are in Canada, extreme cold poses serious health risks. Frostbite and hypothermia are real dangers, which is why these warnings are so important.
