THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – The Extreme Cold Warning for Northwestern Ontario continues. For Thunder Bay this morning, the weather service is calling for wind becoming west 20 km/h this afternoon. High minus 20. Wind chill minus 40. For tonight conditions will be clear with increasing cloudiness overnight. Winds west 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low minus 24. Wind chill minus 34.
Further north, weather conditions are much colder.
Extreme Cold Warning in effect for:
- City of Thunder Bay
- Kenora
- Dryden – Vermillion Bay
- Sioux Lookout – Pickle Lake – Savant Lake – Mishkeegogamang
- Fort Severn – Washaho Cree Nation
- Attawapiskat – Peawanuk
- Nipigon – Geraldton – Helen Lake First Nation
- Sandy Lake – Webiquie
- Bearskin Lake – Round Lake – Sachigo Lake
- Atikokan – Upsala – Ignace
- Fort Frances
- Superior West
A prolonged period of very cold wind chills is expected.
Wind chill values of minus 40 are expected early this morning. Wind chill values will reach the upper thirties Sunday night.
Watch for cold related symptoms and complaints which include:
– Respiratory: shortness of breath, wheezing and cough
– Cardiovascular: chest pain and arrhythmias
– Circulation: colour change of finger and toes, pain, numbness and tickling sensation in extremities
– Muscle: pain, stiffness, swelling, restricted movement, weakness
– Skin: itching, pale.
If you experience these symptoms when exposed to the cold, move indoors and begin warming.
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.
Avoid alcohol.
– Consuming alcohol before you go out in the cold may increase your risk of hypothermia because it increases blood flow to the extremities of the body. You may actually feel warm even though you are losing heat.
