City of Ottawa prepares for winter weather

The preliminary winter forecast published by the Farmer’s Almanac predicts below-normal temperatures across the Prairies and into Ontario and above-normal precipitation across the eastern third of the country, specifically around the Great Lakes. But if climate change has taught municipalities anything, it is to be prepared for the unexpected.

That is what the City of Ottawa is doing this winter.

The city’s Heat, Cold and Air Quality Relief Strategy was developed to address extreme heat, extreme cold and poor air quality events. The extreme cold component of the plan is activated when Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issues an extreme cold warning – typically when the temperature or windchill reaches a value of -35 C.

During an extreme cold weather event, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is responsible for communications to raise awareness about prevented cold-weather related illness, injury and death. The city’s Community and Social Services Department, OC Transpo and other city services may also communicate service-specific information. OPH recommends all individuals subscribe to the ECCC WeatherCAN app.

The OPH Cold Weather webpage also contains information about community resources to keep people safe and warm, including an interactive map of warming centres operational during business hours.

The city also commits to measures to protect those in the city experiencing homelessness during cold weather events. Each year, Community and Social Services, and its community partners, initiates a winter service response which provides additional capacity and services to those experiencing homelessness.

In addition to the more than 900 community shelter beds and 300 temporary overflow beds in operation across the city, during extreme cold weather Social Services offers:

  • up to 60 beds at a temporary emergency overnight shelter;
  • a 24/7 overnight warming and respite centre;
  • extended operating hours on evenings and weekends at four day program locations;
  • 24/7 operation of outreach services to connect with unsheltered individuals and provide transportation to safe shelter;
  • distribution of winter supplies like sleeping bags, clothing and handwarmers.

Ottawa has yet to see any extreme winter weather yet this season but parts of Ontario have experienced nearly a metre of snow leaving thousands without power.

Ottawa’s forecast for the week

Monday: mainly cloudy with a high of -1 C and low of -9 C. Windchill -14 C in the morning and -5 C in the afternoon.

Dec. 3: mix of sun and clouds with a chance of flurries. High of -3 C and low of -13 C.

Dec 4: Snow with a high of 0 C and low of -4 C.

Dec 5: cloudy with a chance of flurries. High of 3 C and low of -10 C.

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