More cold alerts than last two winters combined

Most of us have probably lost track of how many cold weather alerts we’ve had so far this winter.

CHCH News checked with Hamilton Public Health Friday, and the numbers are likely fairly representative across Southern Ontario. There have been nearly 50 cold weather alerts in Steeltown — and there’s still three weeks of winter left.

The alerts are issued when it’s dangerously cold outside and it feels like it’s colder than minus 15 degrees celsius with the wind chill.

Icy sidewalks, putting on layers to handle a quick walk outside and cold weather alerts are all becoming unwelcome by some people.

“It’s freezing for too long and I’m ready for summer.”

Most of southern Ontario has been warned nearly 50 times about going outdoors because it’s so cold. Hamilton’s health department says the city has been under alert for 44 days — more than the last two winters combined.

“I can believe that for sure.”

“I just wear a lot more layers than I ever have before. More socks, I’m up to four, last year I was wearing 3, they made fun of me for it. There are camping socks, bigger boots, leggings under my pants every day.”

Despite the cold weather skiers and snowboarders have are still hitting the hills and business is good. Corbett’s in Oakville, Burton and Glen Eden have partnered up to offer free snowboard lessons to about 110 ladies who say this cold isn’t stopping them!

“I’ve had enough but I do believe if you’re gonna live here you may as well make the most of it, so I get out and ski. Today I’m going out of my comfort zone and snowboarding.”

“This has been a lot of work so working up a sweat and keeping the body warm.”

But Hamilton paramedic services says the cold has been hazardous to people’s health. Carmen D’Angelo confirms a definite spike in calls.

“One being injury and death due to snow clearing. Second is lots of injuries ranging from minor to serious because of motor vehicle collisions and third, slips and falls pedestrians walking along the sidewalks or own driveways due to the ice.”

Another interesting bit of information: Enbridge, which supplies gas to two million Ontario homes says this winter has been so cold that people are using 10-12 per cent more gas to heat their homes, compared to last winter.