The Middlesex-London and Sania-Lambton health units issued their first cold weather alerts of 2014 on Thursday.
Iqbal Kalsi, manager of environmental health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, said in a statement, "The temperatures we’re expecting over the next couple of days will be cold enough to cause damage to exposed skin and could lead to hypothermia. It’s very important for people to bundle up and dress for the conditions if they intend to spend time outdoors."
Environment Canada has also issued a wind chill warning for London-Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford-Brant, SImcoe-Delhi-Norfolk, Huron-Perth, Waterloo-Wellington and much of midwestern Ontario.
Temperatures around -14C with a wind chill of -26 are forecast for Thursday and Friday in the London area.
Officials are warning that overexposure to cold temperatures could lead to hypothermia or frostbite. For more information on the signs and symptoms click here.
“While we recommend limiting the time you spend outdoors today and tomorrow, if you have to be outside dress in layers and cover exposed skin as much as possible,” Kalsi added.
The alert went into effect Thursday in London-Middlesex and will remain in effect through Saturday, when temperatures are expected to climb back over -15C.
In Sarnia, the health unit says the alert will remain in effect Thursday night and Friday.
Cold freezing Goderich water intake
The Town of Goderich is asking its residents to conserve water as the extremely cold temperatures and easterly winds are causing frazil ice to form over the town's water intake pipe.
The ice at the opening of the underwater intake pipe means water isn't getting to the plant for treatment.
As a precaution, residents are asked to conserve water for the next 24 hours when the wind is expected to shift.
The town asks users not do do unnecessary laundry or wash vehicles and to reduce shower times and do dishes by hand.
