Waterloo region and area enters 3rd day of deep freeze

The areas of Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County have entered the third day of a deep freeze because of a polar vortex, Environment Canada says.

The federal weather agency issued an extreme cold warning on Monday morning. It is expected to stay up through Wednesday morning.

Steven Flisfeder, a warning preparedness meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, says a polar vortex is an area of very cold temperatures that originate in the Arctic.

"It's always present throughout the year, but it becomes a bit more pronounced through the winter. And depending on how the air flow streams are forecasted to flow, it can sometimes be pulled as far south as Ontario, sometimes even farther south," he said.

An extreme cold warning issued Wednesday by Environment Canada is asking people to dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer, watch for symptoms of frostbite and check on older family, friends and neighbours.

Environment Canada says you can expect a high of –13 C with a 40 per cent chance of flurries on Wednesday. There's a wind chill of –30 in the morning and –23 in the afternoon.

Understanding wind chill

Peter Kimbell, a warning preparedness meteorologist for Environment Canada, said the wind chill can make it feel like it's colder than it really is.

"The fact that the wind is blowing causes our bodies to lose heat faster than if the wind is not blowing and consequently our bodies cool faster, even though the temperature may not be any different," he explained.

"Obviously as the temperature warms up during the day with sunshine and as the winds change ... our forecast may not be accurate the whole day long. It's constantly changing, just as the temperature constantly changes."

Kimbell says the makeup of the area you are in can play a big role in whether or not you will feel the wind chill.

"If you're in a sheltered area, you might not experience any wind. But if you go to an open field, then suddenly there's the wind," he said. "It's difficult to forecast everything for everybody. And that's really what it is in a nutshell."

Environment and Climate Change Canada will issue an extreme cold warning when the temperature or wind chill hits –30 C or lower. 

The Region of Waterloo will also issue an extreme cold warning when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach –30 C for at least two hours.

The region's website has a list of warming centres where people can go if needed.

A new overnight warming space also opened in Kitchener on Friday at 298 Lawrence Ave. It is being run by the region and Thresholds Supports, a non-profit mental health and housing provider, and will be open daily from 7:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.