Period of extreme cold
Last updated December 19, 2024
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Montréal can have periods of extreme cold. What are the risks to your health and safety? Find out what you need to know.
What’s a period of extreme cold?
In the winter, extreme cold is when temperatures fall significantly below the seasonal norm. Cold can also be made worse by the wind (wind chill). Extreme cold generally means higher health risks.
Health and safety risks
For you
- Windburn (dry, red, sore skin)
- Frostbite: Can occur in 5-10 minutes, depending on temperature and wind conditions.
- Irritation of throat and lungs
- Exacerbation of respiratory illnesses (asthma, chronic bronchitis) or cardiovascular diseases (angina pectoris).
- Hypothermia
Who is at risk?
Special care is recommended for people vulnerable to the effects of extreme cold, including young children, the elderly, people with mental health problems and the unhoused.
For your home and car
- Frozen pipes
- Power failure
- Car won’t start
- Fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning (improper use of back-up heating: portable heaters, space heaters)
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Ahuntsic-CartiervilleAnjouCôte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-GrâceLachineLaSalleLe Plateau-Mont-RoyalLe Sud-OuestL'Île-Bizard–Sainte-GenevièveMercier–Hochelaga-MaisonneuveMontréal-NordOutremontPierrefonds-RoxboroRivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-TremblesRosemont–La Petite-PatrieSaint-LaurentSaint-LéonardVerdunVille-MarieVilleray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
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