Cold Weather Alert issued as temperatures could reach -18˚C or lower

With Environment Canada forecasting temperatures as low as -16˚C and -18˚C with the wind chill, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is issuing a cold weather alert for its region.

The alert is for Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

During this alert, SWPH is asking residents to take precautions to protect themselves from the cold to avoid complications such as frostbite and hypothermia.

The alert adds “those most vulnerable to the effects of the cold include older adults, infants and young children, outdoor workers, those who like outdoor sports such as skiing and hiking, and homeless persons who do not have shelter, proper clothing or food.”

SWPH is also warning of potential hypothermia and frostbite for those outdoors.

The agency provided some tips for what residents should do: 

• Stay indoors as much as possible 
• Dress in warm layers when going outside (jacket, loose fitting clothes, toques, mittens, etc.)
• Cover up all exposed skin
• Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages as they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly
• Avoid strenuous exercise while out in the cold as much as possible
• Prepare your home and car for winter
• If you see someone who may be suffering from hypothermia, call 911 immediately
• Find a public Warming Centre at Cold Weather - Southweste rn Public Health (swpublichealth.ca) 

Residents in Elgin County, Oxford County, and the City of St. Thomas are recommended to monitor the weather forecast to evaluate the risk of exposure to cold as conditions could change.

Here's your London area forecast

Today: Flurries. Risk of snow squalls over western sections. Local amount 15 cm over western sections. Wind northwest 20 km/h. High minus 6. Wind chill near minus 14.

Tonight: Mainly cloudy. 60 percent chance of flurries this evening. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light late this evening. Low minus 14. Wind chill minus 12 this evening and minus 17 overnight.

Sunday: Clearing in the morning. Wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 7. Wind chill minus 17 in the morning and minus 10 in the afternoon.

Monday: Cloudy with 40 per cent chance of flurries. High minus 2.

Tuesday: Cloudy with 40 per cent chance of flurries or rain showers. High plus 2.

Wednesday (Christmas Day): Cloudy. High plus 3.

Thursday: Cloudy. High plus 5.

Friday: Cloudy with 40 per cent chance of showers. High 7.