An extreme cold warning is in effect across Chatham-Kent, as a prolonged period of very cold wind chills is expected.
Environment Canada official say temperatures will fall rapidly this evening to reach lows near minus 20 degrees Celsius.
“Wind chill values due to northwest winds near 50 kilometres per hour will be near minus 30 tonight,” forecasters say.
“Temperatures and wind chill values will be slightly lower Friday night. The extreme cold will continue until Saturday morning.”
Environment Canada official say extreme cold puts everyone at risk.
“Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill,” forecasters say.
“Check on older family, friends and neighbours. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.”
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit has also issued a cold weather alert.
“Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for tonight into Friday as well as Friday night into Saturday,” municipal officials stated.
“Environment Canada issues an extreme cold warning when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 30°C for at least two hours. The CKPHU would like to take this opportunity to remind residents that extreme cold puts everyone at risk for hypothermia and frost bite.”
Environment Canada officials are asking everyone to monitor the alerts and forecasts issued.
To report severe weather, send an email to ec.cpio-tempetes-ospc-storms.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
