FOG BLOG WEATHER LOG: EXTREME COLD WARNING FOR THE MARITIMES- COLD INVADES -99 WIND CHILL AT MT WASH
Warming centres open as the Maritimes prepare for blast of cold weather With frigid temperatures in the forecast, Environment Canada has issued extreme cold warnings for all three Maritime provinces.
While temperatures are forecast near the -25 mark, wind-chill values will make those already below-seasonal values feel more like -40 to -47 in New Brunswick.
Temperatures on Prince Edward Island will feel like -35 to -41 while Nova Scotians will feel temperatures of -35 to -43 with the wind chill.
Environment Canada says the cold weather will be caused by “an arctic air mass” that will “combine with strong northeast winds” by Friday evening. The weather service is encouraging Maritimers to watch out for the following cold-related symptoms:
shortness of breath
chest pain
muscle pain and weakness
numbness and colour change in fingers and toes
Frostbite can also develop within minutes on exposed skin, particularly with the wind chill, the service warns.
Parts of western Nova Scotia, western Cape Breton and Kings County in P.E.I. are under a snow squall warning.
There are no snow squall warnings in New Brunswick at this time.
Many school districts across Nova Scotia cancelled classes on Friday as the bitterly cold weather approaches. Schools in Zones 1 and 2 of the Anglophone West School District in New Brunswick were also closed Friday.
Temperatures are expected to remain cold throughout Saturday, before returning to seasonal values Sunday.
COPING WITH THE COLD
Many Maritimers are bracing for the heavy blast of winter weather, while others are embracing it.
“I am going to relax by the woodstove and keep warm," said Halifax resident Kevin Hammond, as he prepared for the weekend.
As Friday progressed and the temperatures became more frigid, the Oval in Halifax stayed open for skaters.
“The sun is shining and the wind is blowing," said Ann Gagnon. "It just makes you have a stronger workout and you need to work a little bit harder.”
As for the Oval staying open on Saturday when the wind chill could drop below -20?
“Our staff will continue to monitor the situation and whether we willclose," said HRM spokesperson Maggie-Jane Spray. "But as for now it is staying open.”
At this moment, skater Tyler Hughes agrees with that decision.
“It wasn’t too bad," said Hughes after his noon-hour skate.
However, he knowsSaturday could be much colder.
“No, this is pretty much the limit for me.”
The HRM is issuing basic safety precautions heading into the weekend.
“Stay warm and stay indoors as much as ifcan,” said Spray.
A perfect idea, says Dorothy Hammond
“I am going tosnuggle and relax with family and be together.”
WARMING CENTRES
In New Brunswick, three Saint John shelters have increased their maximum safe capacities in order to provide a warm space for those in need:
Out of the Cold (390 Lowell Street – Belyea Arena)
Coverdale Centre for Women (154 Waterloo Street)
Outflow (162 Waterloo Street)
The Stone Church on Carleton Street is expected to serve as a daytime warming centre, offering refreshments, snacks and shelter from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
A warming centre opened Friday at the former Cultural Market on King Street.
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