Get ready for an intense bout of winter.
A snow squall watch and extreme cold weather advisory is in effect for the region for Thursday afternoon, as we’re expecting heavy wind and 2 to 4 cm of snow. And then a deep freeze starts overnight. The high tomorrow is expected to be in the minus twenties and in the early morning, with the windchill, it will feel like -40C.
But the good news, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Steven Flisfeder, is that the cold front is moving quickly and the extreme temperatures won’t last long.
“Tomorrow (Friday) is definitely going to be the coldest day of the year, at least so far,” he says. “Day time highs are going to get only up to the -20C to -25C range.
“It’s going to persist through Saturday morning and temperatures will moderate somewhat through the day Saturday. By Sunday a much warmer air mass is going to come through the area and you’ll barely remember the cold at that point.”
However, on Friday the cold will be so extreme that people not bundled up will be at risk of frostbite within minutes. Flisfeder says people should limit their time outside and if you do have to go out, layer up.
Bancroft doesn’t have Warming Centre
And those in the region who are looking for a public place they can go to stay warm during the extreme cold spell, won’t have as many convenient options as in years past.
Bancroft does not have a public warming centre this year.
Officials say an exhaustive search for one didn’t lead to any results. Hastings Highlands doesn’t have a warming centre either.
Hastings County encourages those in an emergency homeless situation to call Community and Human Services at 613-332-2410 or 1-866-569-1941. There’s also an After-Hours emergency services line you can call. It’s 1-877-528-9514.
Groundhogs predictions
This news comes on Groundhog’s Day — and according to Canada’s groundhog prognosticators, when winter will end may just come down to where you live.
During Groundhog festivities in southern Ontario Thursday morning, Wiarton Willie came out of his burrow and did not see his shadow. According to folklore that means an early end to winter.
But in Nova Scotia Shubenacadie Sam saw her shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter.
In Manitoba, Merv was the tie breaker and called for six more weeks of winter.
