COLD ALERT: Hamilton’s medical officer of health orders cold alert for Tuesday night

Hamilton's medical officer of health issued a cold weather alert for Tuesday night as the wind chill is expected to make it feel like -20 C overnight.

Environment Canada is calling for a daytime high of -7 C Tuesday afternoon, falling to a low of -14 overnight. The wind chill overnight is expected to dip, making it feel like -20.

During extreme cold, residents risk frostbite and hypothermia if they are outside, warns the city's medical officer of health. Residents are asked to stay indoors and if you are outside, dress in layers and protect your face, ears, hands and feet. Wool socks are recommended to keep feet dry.

Tuesday's cold weather alert is the first in 2023 in Hamilton, activating the city's community warming centres.

Cold alerts in Hamilton are activated when temperatures are expected to hit lows of -15 or -20 C with the wind chill. During cold alerts, libraries and some recreational facilities are required to open during regular business hours for those needing to get out of the cold.

Mayor Andrea Horwath called for a review of the protocol in December after homeless residents were almost left without a city-funded overnight warming centre amid frigid temperatures because a cold alert was cancelled, meaning city-funded warming centres closed.

Ongoing programs and resources in the community, including emergency shelters and drop-in locations, are available for vulnerable houseless community members who need to keep warm.

Drop-in programs include:

• The Hub, 78 Vine St., drop-in 5 to 9 p.m. year-round and overnight drop-in hours 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. until March 31.

• Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, 407 King St. W., open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• YWCA Carol Anne's Place, 75 MacNab St. S., overnight drop-in from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily for women and non-binary individuals.

• Mission Services Willow's Place, 196 Wentworth St. N., drop-in from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily for women.

• Wesley Day Centre, 52 Catharine St. N., Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Living Rock Youth Resources, 30 Wilson St., daily drop-in 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for youth.

For more information about Hamilton's Community Cold Response, community resources, warming centres and shelters, and signs of cold-related illness, visit hamilton.ca/cold.

The national weather service has forecast a daytime high of -6 on Wednesday, with the wind chill feeling like -19 in the morning and -10 in the afternoon.

The alert will remain active until a cancellation notice is issued.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com