Extreme cold weather warnings across northwestern Ontario
Wind chills of -40 C and below forecast across the region to start the work week
Environment Canada says a blast of arctic air will push wind chills into the –40 C range across northwestern Ontario over the next 24 hours or more.
The cold snap comes a day after many parts of the region were hit with a winter storm that brought a significant amount of snow.
Environment Canada's Sunday afternoon forecasts showed wind chill values across the northwest ranging from –35 C in Thunder Bay and several communities to the east, to –45 C on the Webequie First Nation. Wind chills are expected to be well below –40 C Sunday night and into Monday across the region.
Because of the cold, the weather agency issued extreme cold warnings for all of the northwest. It said these warnings are issued when cold temperatures or wind chill poses an increased risk of frost bite and hypothermia.
Environment Canada warned that exposed skin can freeze in less than 10 minutes. It advised residents to wear appropriate clothing – including a wind-resistant outer layer – and to avoid consuming alcohol before going outside.