‘Stay inside’: Medical officer of health orders second cold alert this week

Hamilton's medical officer of health has ordered another cold alert for the city, with temperatures expected to feel like -26 C overnight Thursday.

On the day Wiarton Willie called for an early spring, the city's second cold alert issued this week has been put into effect.

Environment Canada is calling for a seemingly mild afternoon on Thursday with a daytime high of -1 C, heavy flurries and wind gusts up to 60 km/h in the afternoon. As evening approaches, you can expect to feel the temperature drop to a low of -17 C, feeling like -26 overnight.

An alert is issued when current or anticipated weather conditions are at or below a temperature of -15 C or wind chill of -20.

The warning reminds Hamiltonians that cold weather can be harmful to your health, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. 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. Drink warm fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol and strenuous exercise.

Visit or check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, the MOH adds.

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.

Residents are now able to drop-in at The Hub, 78 Vine St., overnight from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. until March 31 in addition to their normal operating hours for 5 to 9 p.m. daily.

Other drop-in programs include:

• 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.

Don't expect things to warm up very soon - the national weather service has forecast a daytime high of -12 on Friday, with the wind chill feeling like -27 in the morning and -20 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