First cold weather alert of the year issued in southwestern Ontario

Health units in southwestern Ontario have issued their first cold weather alert of 2025 starting overnight on Monday as frigid temperatures and a bitter wind chill are forecast for the region.

Both the Middlesex-London and Southwestern Public Health Units are warning residents to take precautions as wind chill values are expected to feel like -21 C on Tuesday morning, climbing up to -16 C in the afternoon, they said in a public service announcement. 

Temperatures will dip starting overnight on Monday and continuing into Wednesday, said the Southwestern Public Health Unit, which covers areas in Oxford and Elgin Counties and the City of St. Thomas.

Health units issue cold weather alerts when Environment Canada forecasts a temperature of -15 C or lower, or when it expects a windchill of -20 C or lower, or when the national weather agency also issues a cold alert. 

Environment Canada forecasts a 40 per cent chance of snow flurries, with winds gusting up to 40 km/h. 

Tips to stay warm

The health units are advising residents to stay inside heated buildings as much as possible. 

They also suggest people dress warmly and wear multiple layers when going outside, including covering up any exposed skin, which is at risk for developing frostbite within minutes in the extreme cold. 

Drink warm fluids but avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which cause bodies to lose heat quicker, the health unit said, adding that residents should avoid doing strenuous exercises while outdoors.  

Middlesex-London Health Unit said anyone experiencing symptoms hypothermia or frostbite should seek help immediately. Symptoms of hypothermia include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. 

Frostbite symptoms can look like: having white or greyish skin that feels unusually waxy, firm or numb. 

Warming centres open throughout the city

The City of London has a number of community centres that will be open as warming centres. A full list of hours can be found on the city's website, but the locations include: 

• East Lions Community Centre at 1731 Churchill Avenue.
• North London Optimist Community Centre at 1345 Cheapside Street.
• South London Community Centre at 1119 Jalna Boulevard. 
• Canada Games Aquatic Centre at 1045 Wonderland Road North 
• Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre at 656 Elizabeth Street 

London Public Library's Central branch in downtown, located at 251 Dundas Street will also be open as a warming centre from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Warming centre locations in Oxford, Elgin Counties and St. Thomas can be found on Southwestern Public Health's website.