Wallaceburg Retirement Residence – Morning Coffee

Weather forecast for Thursday, January 31, 2019

Today – Sunny. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 near noon. High minus 19. Wind chill minus 38 in the morning and minus 29 in the afternoon. Frostbite in minutes. UV index 2 or low.

Tonight – Increasing cloudiness. 60 percent chance of flurries overnight. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light this evening. Low minus 24. Wind chill minus 33 in the evening and minus 26 overnight. Risk of frostbite.

Extreme cold warning remains in place

A prolonged period of severely cold wind chills is expected.

Bitterly cold arctic air combined with strong westerly winds have resulted in wind chill values of near minus 40 over some areas early this morning.

The cold air will remain in place today. Conditions should improve Friday as milder air moves into the region.

Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets and jumper cables.

If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

Significant weather event declared in C-K

Chatham-Kent officials say in accordance with O. Reg. 239/02: Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent has declared a significant weather event due to forecasted and/or observed weather conditions.

“The declaration is to notify the public that due to the current or forecasted conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on Chatham-Kent roads and sidewalks, and that it may take longer than usual to bring the condition of the roads back to a state of repair,” municipal officials said in a media release.

“Declaration of a significant weather event is not notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure.”

Drivers and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution when navigating roads and sidewalks due to the potential for ice and snow formation.

Municipal staff will continue to monitor road and weather conditions and will deploy resources where possible to address these conditions and protect public safety.

Walpole Island school closed

Officials at Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig on Walpole Island say their school is closed today due to the extreme temperatures.

“Due to the severe cold temperatures BK will be closed to students tomorrow Thursday, January 31st. Sorry for the inconvenience but student safety continues to be our priority. Stay safe and warm and we will see everyone on Friday, February 1st.”