Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for London, Ont., and Middlesex County while the Middlesex-London Health Unit has a cold weather alert in effect.
The national weather agency issued the extreme cold warning just before 11 a.m. Friday, warning that the region would see wind chill values between -30 and -35 Friday night through to Saturday morning.
“Extreme cold puts everyone at risk,” the warning reads, noting that frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin in such conditions.
“Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.”
Just before noon, the Middlesex-London Health Unit followed suit with its cold weather alert.
While the extreme cold warning is expected to lift Saturday, the health unit says the forecast for Saturday exceeds its threshold for a cold weather alert and so the alert will remain in place until Sunday morning.
“Please limit the time you spend outdoors over the next couple of days, and if you must be outside, protect yourself by dressing appropriately in multiple layers, covering exposed skin, and drinking warm fluids that are not caffeinated or alcoholic,” said David Pavletic, MLHU environmental health manager.
The temperature in London is only expected to climb as high as -8 C on Friday before dropping to -25 C overnight, feeling like -32 with the wind chill.
On Saturday, the high is forecast at -10 C with a wind chill of -33 in the morning and -15 in the afternoon. The temperature will fall to -16 C overnight. On Sunday, forecasters expect a high of -8 C.