Extreme Cold
Why It’s Dangerous and When It Happens
Extreme cold events can be very harmful, especially for people who are at-risk, and can be dangerous even when there is little or no wind.
Extreme cold events happen when:
- Temperatures are much lower than usual for the area
- Wind chill values are very low
- There is a risk of frostbite
Injuries Can Happen at Mild Temperatures
While warnings are issued when temperatures drop far below normal, cold-related injuries can still happen at moderately cold or near-freezing temperatures (around 0 degrees Celcius).
Cold weather injuries can include windburn, frostbite, hypothermia and heart-related problems.
Who Is at Risk and How to Stay Safe
Some people are at higher risk of cold injury, including older adults, babies and young children, people who work outside, people living in poorly-insulated homes, people with certain health conditions
To reduce your risk:
- Be aware of cold weather hazards before going outdoors
- Stay alert to other winter hazards, like icy surfaces and winter storms
- Always take precautions to protect your health when temperatures are cool, even if there is no cold warning in effect.