The City of Hamilton’s medical officer of health has issued a cold weather alert for Friday evening, despite the sunny conditions residents are experiencing during the day.
Cold weather alerts are issued when officials expect the temperature to drop below -15 C or -20 C with the wind chill, allowing for a heightened risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Environment Canada is forecasting a low of -13 C Friday night with a wind chill pushing that down to -22 C overnight.
The Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton is issuing a Cold Weather Alert effective tonight. A Cold Weather Alert is issued when current or anticipated weather conditions are at or below -15C or -20 with wind chill. Learn more: https://t.co/qeavxWNXVF #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/E0J7QyYtD0
— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) February 23, 2024
The City says they have notified community agencies who work with people who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness.
Hamilton’s Winter Response Strategy is also in effect between Dec. 1 and March 31, regardless of temperature.
The strategy sees a designated HSR warming bus offered free of charge nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for anyone who needs to get out of the cold. It will be stopping at 15 different locations throughout the city.
Some recreation centres in the city are staying open later as well.
In the winter, Hamilton recreation centres already act as warming places during regular business hours, but three locations will see extended hours into the evening.
Westmount Recreation Centre, Valley Park Recreation Centre and Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre will all be open until 11:30 p.m. seven days a week, and from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on statutory holidays.
The strategy also sees operational washroom facilities open 24-hours at J.C. Beemer Park on Victoria Avenue North and Corktown Park on Ferguson Avenue South.
For more information about the Winter Response Strategy, including a full list of stops for the nightly warming bus, visit the City of Hamilton’s website here.
