Montreal Residents Brave Extreme Cold as Local Restaurants Offer Warmth and Respite
Montreal Island is currently under an extreme cold warning, with Saturday morning wind chill values plummeting to between minus-35 and minus-38. The bone-chilling temperatures have created hazardous conditions throughout the city, prompting officials to issue caution.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, this cold snap is of moderate impact, and the forecast confidence is high. The severe cold poses risks to all individuals, increasing the chances of frostbite and hypothermia in a brief period of exposure.
To stay safe, residents are urged to bundle up in layers that can be easily added or removed, along with a wind-resistant outer layer. Authorities emphasize that if the weather is too cold for people, it’s also too cold for pets.
As the city braves the cold, local restaurants are stepping up to provide warmth and comfort to the community. Mama Khan, located on Rue St-Denis, has transformed into a warming center for three days, welcoming visitors from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The establishment is offering free hot chai and extending a warm invitation to teachers, first responders, city workers, and healthcare professionals to come in, thaw out, and recharge.
Meanwhile, SpiceBros is also playing its part by serving as a warming center for two days, operating from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. The restaurant is providing complimentary hot chai and a cozy space for anyone seeking refuge from the cold, with a special shoutout to essential and frontline workers.
