Environment Canada has issued a warning for severe cold across Quebec, impacting the entire province early Saturday morning. Wind chill factors are expected to range between minus-35 and minus-38 degrees Celsius.
The frigid conditions are set to persist over the weekend, with Saturday’s gusty winds exacerbating the already low temperatures.
In Montreal, for instance, the combination of wind chill made it feel like minus-36 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. on Saturday, but temperatures were projected to climb by approximately 10 degrees later in the day. Similar conditions were reported in various regions including Trois-Rivières, Quebec City, Rivière-du-Loup, Baie-Comeau, and Saguenay, where the wind chill made it feel as cold as minus-40 degrees Celsius upon waking up.
Given the extreme cold, it is advisable to avoid venturing outdoors with children or pets due to the heightened risk of frostbite. Hospitals are bracing for a surge in frostbite cases.
Of particular concern are the homeless individuals in urban areas where the issue is prominent. Efforts are being made to guide homeless individuals to shelters and warming centers in these locations.
Numerous outdoor events have been called off on Saturday due to the severe weather. The Granby Zoo shut its doors, while ski lessons and Nuit Blanche at the Bromont ski resort in the Eastern Townships were canceled for safety reasons. Additionally, night skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne near Quebec City was also called off.
