Frigid Arctic air will be sweeping into the Ottawa region on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. Dress warmly, in layers, covering any exposed skin before going outside and seek shelter indoors from the cold.

Residents can find an interactive map of places to warm up online and are encouraged to monitor the weather by downloading the WeatherCAN app.

Frostbite and hypothermia risks

Frostbite injuries occur when exposed skin freezes when exposed to cold temperatures. Frostbite is a serious condition that requires medical attention as it can lead to painful tissue damage and, in severe cases, amputation. Uncovered skin can freeze in as little as 10 minutes when exposed to wind chill values of -35 C or colder. The months of January and February are typically the coldest months of the Ottawa winter and it’s difficult to avoid the cold weather. Any exposure to extreme cold increases the risk of harmful effects.

There is also an increased risk of hypothermia for people who stay outside for long periods of time without adequate protection. Overexposure can result in severe injury and even death. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends wearing multiple layers of clothing, covering all exposed skin, and ensuring the outer layer protects from wind and moisture.

Download OPH’s frostbite and hypothermia factsheet for more.

Supports for people at risk

Certain groups are more vulnerable to cold-weather injuries including: infants, children, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and people who work outdoors. Service providers who work with these populations are encouraged to assess and adjust their programming and activities as necessary to help prevent cold-related injuries.

There are many services available to help people experiencing homelessness:

• Emergency sleeping spaces in Ottawa shelters
• The Salvation Army’s 24/7 Outreach Van, which encourages people to come in from the cold, provides transportation to shelters, and distributes essential winter supplies
• Drop-in centres that offer supports such as showers, program activities, peer support, and housing supports

Call 3-1-1 to get referred to the best available shelter or to get assistance for someone who needs transportation to get out of the cold.

Call 2-1-1 anytime to find out how to access drop-in centres, community and health resource centres, food banks and community food programs, winter clothing, financial assistance with utilities and a list of Out of the Cold locations with free meals, snacks and drop-ins.

Call 9-1-1 for emergency medical assistance, such as for hypothermia.

Stay informed

Residents are encouraged to monitor the weather by downloading the WeatherCAN app or monitoring this webpage, for the latest cold weather warnings, advisories, and watches from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). ECCC now issues colour-coded weather alerts to inform the public about level risks and recommended actions.

For more information about frostbite, hypothermia and to view an interactive map of places to warm up, visit Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) Cold weather page. OPH also shares updates on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky

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Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.