Stay safe and warm during extreme cold

January 23, 2026

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Cold Warning for York Region. The warning is expected to last until Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Environment and Climate Change Canada Cold Warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill (below -30°C) increase health risks.

Follow these tips to stay warm and prevent cold-weather injuries:

  • Dress appropriately in layers; wear hats, neck warmers, gloves, socks and windproof and waterproof clothing
  • Check your local forecast for weather warnings and limit outdoor activities
  • Recognize the signs of frostbite and hypothermia

To prevent frostbite, look for the four P’s:

  • Pink – Affected areas will be reddish in colour; this is the first sign of frostbite
  • Pain – Affected areas will become painful
  • Patches – White, waxy feeling patches show up indicating skin is dying
  • Prickliness – The areas will feel numb

Should frostbite set in, get out of the cold and slowly warm up affected areas.

Hypothermia is when body temperature drops dangerously low, starving your brain of oxygen and affecting your ability to think clearly or move well. Don’t ignore shivering and look for the "UMBLES" (mumbles, stumbles, grumbles or fumbles) which may indicate hypothermia.

If you believe someone is suffering from extreme frostbite or hypothermia, call 911 immediately.

  • For more information on how to prevent frostbite and hypothermia, visit york.ca/ExtremeCold
  • For more information on where you can stay warm in your area, use the Warm Spaces Map

Cold Weather Response Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness

York Region has a Cold Weather Response Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness providing safe and welcoming services for people experiencing homelessness in York Region during the cold weather season.

Recognizing people experiencing homelessness are disproportionately vulnerable to the adverse health effects of cold weather and extreme weather events, York Region Homelessness Community Programs issues Cold Weather Alerts and discretionary Special Weather Alerts where there is potential for greater risk for people experiencing homelessness, including when temperatures are forecast to be -15°C or colder, with or without windchill anywhere in York Region. When an Alert is issued, emergency housing overflow beds are activated.

Anyone experiencing homelessness in York Region that is seeking shelter should contact the York Region Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140. This phone line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on York Region’s emergency housing please visit york.ca/EmergencyHousing