Peterborough Blogs
Extreme Cold Warning In Peterborough County Begins Thursday Morning
/Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, northern Hastings County, and Haliburton County, beginning Thursday morning.
Photo by Angela O’Grady.
Late Wednesday afternoon, a cold front will push through the region, which will cause temperatures to abruptly drop below freezing.
By Thursday morning, cold temperatures in combination with brisk northwest winds will lead to wind chill values between -30°C and -35°C Thursday morning. Wind chill values are expected to moderate through the day Thursday, but may drop to near -30°C Thursday night into Friday morning once again.
Residents are encouraged to dress in layers if going outside is necessary.
It is also noted that surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots — especially untreated surfaces where snow has not yet been cleared — may become icy and slippery.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Public Health Activates Extreme Cold Response Plan
/With an early start to the winter and colder weather ahead, Peterborough Public Health has activated its Extreme Cold Response Plan (ECRP) to advise residents on the best way to protect their health when temperatures plummet.
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough
“We all need to take precautions during cold weather to prevent illness and injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health. “Most healthy people can tolerate a short period of cold weather if they are dry and properly dressed. Our alert system is designed to advise the public when there is an increased risk and what actions they can take to prevent cold weather-related injuries.”
Ingram noted that trend data indicates a doubling in the rate of local emergency department visits related to cold exposure between 2009 and 2018. In addition, between September 2020 and October 2021, there were 26 emergency department visits in the Peterborough area related to cold exposure.
People who are more vulnerable to the risks of cold temperatures include the elderly, infants less than one year old, people with a history of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes, and people who are homeless or marginally housed. People who are homeless in particular spend long periods of time outside and can suffer increased health effects from the cold even at warmer temperatures.
Peterborough Public Health’s ECRP has three levels of notification:
• Frostbite Alert
• Frostbite Warning
• Cold Weather Emergency
The most common form of extreme cold notification is a Frostbite Alert. Last season, there were four Frostbite Alerts issued, and none from the other two categories. Frostbite alerts are issued when temperatures are forecasted to be from -27° to -38° Celsius or a wind chill of -27° to -38° Celsius. In these conditions, exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes. Residents are advised to take the following precautions:
• cover unprotected skin
• avoid prolonged outdoor exposure
• drink warm fluids
• check on neighbours
• maintain a warm indoor environment (ideally 20° Celsius or warmer)
Notifications of frostbite alerts and warnings will be posted on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and Peterborough Public Health’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, as well as issued to the media and stakeholder groups when the forecasted temperature or wind chill may result in an increased risk of frostbite. Most townships and Curve Lake First Nation post extreme weather alerts on their websites and social media channels.
City of Peterborough Social Services also has a Cold Weather Protocol that takes effect in cold weather, which may trigger extended hours of operation for the Drop-In program.
When Social Services activates their Cold Weather Protocol they will share information regarding the locations and times of emergency shelters and any relevant outreach programs, as well as reminders to get out of the cold during periods of extreme cold.
A cold alert will be issued by Social Services when the temperature drops below -15° Celsius with a wind chill.
One Roof Community Centre drop-in at 99 Brock St. will extend their hours of operation during a cold alert from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Normal hours of operation for drop-ins is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a take away meal available between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Extreme Cold Alert Issued For The Peterborough Area
/With extreme cold in the forecast, the One Roof Community Centre drop-in hours will be extended to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18th and Thursday, December 19th to provide daytime shelter from the cold, the City of Peterborough says in a release.
One Roof Community Centre, which provides services on behalf of the City and County of Peterborough, is located at 99 Brock Street. Its normal operating hours are noon to 7 p.m. daily. For a full description of meals and other services that One Roof provides, click here.
Image via City of Peterborough
Under its agreement with the City, One Roof extends its operating hours when the temperature reaches -15C, and Environment Canada’s forecast for Peterborough shows temperatures falling to -25 with windchill in the afternoon on Wednesday and -20C on Thursday.
Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter:
• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.
• Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.
• Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.
• Overflow shelter program, Peterborough Public Library, 705-761-1875 (overnight phone contact), 345 Aylmer St. N.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
One Roof Community Centre Extending Hours During This Extreme Cold Warning Issued For Area
/Environment Canada has released an extreme cold warning for the Peterborough area from January 4th through January 6th, with forecasted nightly wind chill values of -39°C expected.
Due to the extreme cold warning and Peterborough Public Health extending its frostbite alert, the One Roof Community Centre (99 Brock Street) will extend its hours of service of operation from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Saturday, January 6th.
As always, emergency shelters are open and available to those who require emergency overnight shelter. Here they are...
-> Brock Mission Men's Shelter: 120 Murray Street, 705-748-4766
-> Cameron House Women's Shelter: 739 Chemong Road, 705-748-4766
-> YES Shelter Youth and Families: 196 Brock Street, 705-748-3851
-> Warming Room Safe Overnight Space: 175 Murray Street, 705-868-9276
Emergency After Hours Services related to emergency shelter are available through Social Services by calling 705-740-6222.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Environment Canada Issues Extreme Cold Alert For Peterborough Area
/
A cold front will cross Southern Ontario tonight and Wednesday morning. Very cold temperatures in the wake of this front, combined with strong northerly winds, will result in wind chill values near or below minus 30 Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night.
While anyone who isn't dressed warmly is at risk in cold weather conditions, some are at greater risk than others for frost bite and hypothermia:
- homeless people
- outdoor workers
- people living in homes that are poorly insulated (with no heat or no power)
- people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and diseases affecting the blood vessels, people taking certain medications including beta-blockers
- winter sport enthusiasts
- people who consume excess alcohol
- infants
- seniors
Wear appropriate clothing:
- Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.
- Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
- Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
- If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you're wet.
[via Environment Canada]
Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.
