Get ready for the first frostbite advisory of the season
Overnight lows will return to normal toward the end of the week
Just two days into spring and Ottawa is already facing its first frostbite advisory of the season.
It's almost hard to believe – with today's forecasted high of 7 C and a few periods of sunshine – that temperatures will plummet to double digits below the freezing mark Tuesday evening.
The frostbite advisory will remain in effect until Wednesday morning, according to Ottawa Public Health.
FROSTBITE ADVISORY | Overnight March 21 until tomorrow a.m.<br>Morning wind chill of -28<br>Tips to stay warm<a href="https://t.co/wkyXhVOARN">https://t.co/wkyXhVOARN</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/xma22kPi1Z">pic.twitter.com/xma22kPi1Z</a>
—@ottawahealthEnvironment Canada says the overnight low will reach –18 C, with a windchill making it feel more like –28 C.
The wind is expected to reach speeds between 20 km/h to 40 km/h, increasing to 30 km/h to 50 km/h into the evening.
To prevent frostbite, health officials advise people to:
- Get to a warm area before frostbite sets in. If it's too cold outside, consider staying indoors.
- Keep extra mittens and gloves in the car, house or school bag.
- Wear larger sized mittens over your gloves.
- Wear a scarf to protect the chin, lips and cheeks. They are all extremely susceptible to frostbite.
- Wear two pairs of socks — wool if possible.
- Keep feet warm and dry.
- Do not drink alcohol, as it narrows blood vessels and promotes frostbite and then hypothermia.
The wind will die down slightly beginning Wednesday, which is expected to reach a high of –8 C. The low will be –14 C.
Weekend will warm up
Looking ahead to the end of the week, the daytime high on Thursday will rise above the freezing mark to 4 C. The low will be –7 C. Friday and Saturday will see a 60 per cent chance of showers throughout the day, with a high of 3 C and 6 C, respectively.
The sunshine will return on Sunday with a high of 3 C.