Get ready to bundle up this family day weekend. With wind chill values forecast to be between -20 to -35 over the weekend, Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for all areas of northern & southern Ontario.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.
One of the most important things can do in weather like this is to limit the amount of time you are exposed to the elements. Dressing in layers and limiting the time people — and pets — are outdoors can reduce the risk of hypothermia, but if you are going out:
- Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.
- Cover yourself completely to limit the amount of skin exposed to the elements. Make certain to cover your head, face, neck and hands, where most of your body heat can escape. Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
- Layer your clothing, with a wind resistant outer layer. Thermal underwear is always a good choice, as are sweaters and double layers of heavy socks. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
- Overexertion can be dangerous. When you do too much, your body heats up, naturally sweating to cool itself down. This added wetness can be extremely dangerous in low wind chills, adding to the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Get out of wet clothing. If your head or feet get wet, your body will lose heat much faster. Layers help to protect against wetness, as you can remove a top layer if it gets wet to avoid soaking through to the clothing nearest your body.
- Avoid drinking alcohol since it can only make you think you’re warm. When you drink, it dilates the peripheral blood vessels near your skin, which means more blood – and heat – flows to these vessels away from the core of your body.
Environment Canada weather warnings can be found here.
