The Medical Officer of Health will issue an Extreme Cold Weather Alert when Environment Canada forecasts a temperature of -15°C or colder, or a wind chill of -20°C or colder, for the city of Toronto. The Cold Weather Response Plan is in effect each year between November 15 and April 15.

Extreme Cold Weather Alerts may also be issued when the forecast includes factors that increase the impact of cold weather on health. These include precipitation, low daytime temperatures, or several days and nights of cold weather in a row. The Cold Weather Response Plan provides a framework for implementing and coordinating cold weather preparedness and response activities which focus on reducing the negative health impacts of cold weather conditions.

To find out total days and dates that extreme cold weather alerts were issued in Toronto for winter seasons going back to 2004-2005, visit Statistics on Extreme Cold Weather Alerts in Toronto.

Subscribe for E-Updates

Register your email in order to receive a notice when the Medical Officer of Health issues and terminates an Extreme Cold Weather Alert.

Email:

The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7. The information is used to subscribe the provided email address to a City of Toronto e-notice for cold weather alerts. Questions about this collection may be directed to the Manager, Healthy Environments, Toronto Public Health, 5100 Yonge St., 2nd floor, Toronto, ON M2N 5V7. Telephone: 416-338-7600. By subscribing to this service you are providing express consent, as defined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), to receive email updates from the City of Toronto.

Exposure to extreme cold weather can be harmful to your health. Follow these tips to stay warm, dry and healthy this winter.

Check on Family, Friends and Neighbours

During extreme cold weather conditions, please check (e.g., call, video call, text, etc.) on higher risk family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors living alone. If no answer is received, consider knocking on their door to check on them.

Dress in Layers and Cover Exposed Skin

  • Cover as much exposed skin as possible. Frostbite can develop over a relatively short period of time during periods of extreme cold.
  • Wear waterproof and windproof outer layers.
  • Wear a hat.
  • Choose warm mittens instead of gloves.
  • Wear warm, waterproof boots.
  • Choose wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing, these materials hold more body heat than cotton.

Stay Dry

  • Avoid wearing wet clothing, as you are more likely to develop hypothermia if you are cold and wet.
  • Change into dry clothing as soon as possible if you get wet from precipitation, sweat or submersion in water.

Take Care When Outdoors

  • Check the weather report before going outside.
  • Warm up by taking regular breaks in heated buildings such as libraries and malls.
  • Reschedule outdoor activities and limit time outdoors if severe weather is forecast.

Stay Active and Safe

  • Wear comfortable winter boots with a wide and low heel.
  • Wear several layers of warm, lightweight clothing when shovelling snow and follow medical advice if you have a history of back or heart problems.
  • Wear bright-coloured clothing in snowy weather.
  • Notify friends or family where you will be when going on outdoor activities, such as hiking or skating.

Take Care Walking on Ice

  • Take care when walking on ice. Many cold-weather injuries result from slips and falls on ice-covered surfaces.
  • Keep your steps and walkways free of ice and snow by using rock salt or other de-icing compounds.
  • Call 311 for information on sidewalk and snow clearing and free snow removal services for senior and disabled persons.

Travel Cautiously

  • Listen to the weather forecast.
  • Avoid travelling in low visibility and on ice covered roads.
  • Clear your vehicle windows of all frost and snow so you can clearly see pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
  • Take a charged mobile phone.
  • Make sure your car has a survival kit including a first aid kit, water and additional warm clothing.
  • Let someone know your destination and when you expect to arrive.
  • Cycle along the City’s network of cycling snow routes, which receive enhanced levels of snowplowing, salting and snow removal.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol

  • Drinking alcohol increases blood flow in the vessels close to your skin, making you feel warm even though you are losing body heat.

Resources

Get your home and car ready for winter:

  • Heat your home to a minimum temperature of 21°C.
    • For renters: Toronto has a bylaw that requires landlords provide heat and maintain a minimum temperature of 21°C between September 15 and June 1 of each year (Municipal Code Chapter 497 Article 1).
  • Conduct regular maintenance, including ensuring your heating system is working properly.
  • Prepare for the possibility of power outages.
  • If you have a car, make sure it has a survival kit including a first aid kit and water.
  • If you need to report a pet or animal that may be in distress, Toronto Animal Services responds to complaints about animals exposed to extreme weather on a priority basis.

Groups and organizations should develop a plan for how they will handle cold weather to ensure that everyone will stay safe.

What to include in your plan:

  • Checking the weather forecast.
  • Rescheduling or limiting outdoor activities during Extreme Cold Weather Alerts or other wintry conditions.
  • Ensuring availability of warm drinks.
  • Ensuring children are dressed warmly, covering exposed skin.
  • Scheduling warm-up breaks for outdoor workers.
  • Training for staff to recognize and treat symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia.

Groups and organizations should also develop an emergency plan in case of power outages during the winter.