Montreal rings in New Year with deep freeze

WATCH: Global’s Aalia Adam went out to see how Montrealers are coping with the cold

MONTREAL – As the mercury plummets towards -40°C this week, Montrealers will be ringing in the New Year with frosty toes and noses.

Temperatures are expected to drop well below the average for this time of year, with highs around -5°C and lows to -14°C.

Environment Canada has issued a weather warning for the entire province.

“Yesterday and today and tomorrow, will probably be the three coldest days of the winter and may even be colder than what we saw all of last winter,” senior climatologist, David Phillips said.

He adds these temperatures are about 17 degrees colder than they should be at this time of year

“the last time we had a cold winter in Canada, Dec-Jan-feb was 18 years ago.”

RELATED: SkyTracker weather forecast for Montreal

On Tuesday night, expect periods of light snow and lows of -20°C. With the westerly wind chill, the temperature will dip to -29°C.

The weather is expected to stay sunny but frosty on Wednesday, with lows of -17°C, but with the wind chill dropping to -30°C.

Homeless shelters around the city are on high alert, taking measures to ensure that the homeless and other vulnerable people have somewhere to stay.

Watch: Helping Montreal’s homeless who spend their days in the bitter cold

Doctors warn that being outside for too long can lead to hypothermia and frost bite.

Almost 100 Canadians die every year due to freezing temperatures.

Director of emergency services at the MUHC, Jean-Marc Troquet offers some tips.

“Don’t go outside by yourself, have a buddy with you, don’t get intoxicated because we know alcohol makes things worse. It’s a myth that alcohol will warm you up. Dress warmly, don’t get clothes wet and go inside frequently.”

Even cats and dogs risk getting frost bite if they’re left out.

The SPCA has been getting a flood of calls from concerned pet-owners wondering what to do to keep their cats and dogs safe.

“On any cold days please let the animal inside, keep your animal with you or supervise the door, advises Jade Marcoux.

“If it’s a dog control the period of time you let it go outside make sure the grooming is okay and when it comes inside to clean the paws properly.”

Hydro Quebec is asking the public to reduce their use of electricity for the next few days.

“To avoid the grid getting overloaded and to give us a bit of maneuvering room what we’re doing is asking for people to basically avoid using their dyers, dishwashers, turn down the heat a little bit especially in the rooms that they’re not using and to limit their use of hot water.”

The good news about the bone-chilling cold snap is that it is not expected to last for long.

By this weekend, temperatures are on the rise again, with a highs of -2°C expected on Sunday.

Although they may be freezing, Montrealers can take heart that they don’t live in Winnipeg, where the temperatures are so low, flights have been cancelled in and out of the city’s airport.

READ MORE: United Airlines cancels Winnipeg flights due to cold

Bundle up to enjoy the great outdoors this week… or perhaps, just stay inside!