Bitterly cold conditions in city inconvenience for some, dangerous for others

Layers, layers and more layers was the mantra for Manitobans who ventured outdoors Friday and braved an extreme cold snap that is expected to linger through the weekend.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has had a cold warning (orange, on a new colour-coded scale) in place for most of Manitoba since Wednesday as temperatures plunge below -30 C and wind chills near -50.

“It’s basically just this really widespread Arctic cold air mass that’s pushed southward over the last few days, and that’s kind of spreading throughout much of central Canada,” said meteorologist James Colangelo.

“It’s very cold and quite the long duration as it’s moving ever so slowly to our east and south.”

The weather will be less cold Monday, when a high of -17 C is expected in Winnipeg. Normals for this time of year are highs of -12 C and lows of -23 C.

Fuelled by some friendly banter, the deep freeze didn’t stop friends Oana Halasz and Susan Rose from their usual walk through Assiniboine Park Friday afternoon, when the windchill was -40.

“Yesterday it did. Susan, my friend, called me a wimp and I was like, “OK, it’s six degrees warmer, so today I can be less of a wimp,” Halasz said with a laugh.

The pair, bundled up from head to toe, had frosted eyelashes while they maintained a brisk pace. Staying active during Manitoba’s frigid winters is vital, Rose said.

“I walk every day, if I’m not (cross-country) skiing,” she said.

While Halasz and Rose kept moving, some Winnipeggers stood and waited in the cold. Winnipeg Transit rider Charlize Huard peered down Portage Avenue from a glass shelter at Whytewold Road while she waited to catch the next eastbound bus.

Taking the bus in this kind of weather is not fun, said Huard, whose eyeglasses were frosty.

“(I wear) lots of layers. The bus shelters block the wind, and the wind is probably the worst part,” she said.

Some winter activities were put on ice. Windsor Park Nordic Centre, which has cross-country ski trails, decided to close to the public from Thursday to Sunday. The centre expected few customers during the cold snap.

“It has happened (before), but it’s quite uncommon,” general manager Laurie Penton said. “In the last five years or so, I can only think of one other time.”

The weather conditions, while not unusual for Manitoba in late January, were dangerous for anyone who went outside. Frostbite was possible within minutes on exposed skin.

Homeless people are especially vulnerable to cold-related injuries. Shelters typically see an increase in overnight stays during bitter weather

Frank Ulrich, executive director of Union Gospel Mission, has seen many people who were not dressed for the weather.

“The risk and the stakes are different (during extreme cold) because if somebody is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they’re not aware of their circumstances,” he said.

The mission’s services include meals and an afternoon drop-in centre at Princess Street and Higgins Avenue, where people can warm up or take a shower.

Union Gospel Mission is doing a gently used clothing and outerwear donation drive. The biggest need is mitts, Ulrich said.

Emergency services members and letter carriers were among those who continue to work outdoors. Canada Post said mail delivery and collection delays were possible.

Firefighters typically respond to more structure fires and carbon monoxide calls when temperatures fall, said United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Nick Kasper. Fire hoses, pumps and hydrants can freeze.

“We, of course, get covered in water doing the job, and our gear will literally freeze to us to the point where we can’t get it off when we come out of the fire scene,” Kasper said.

Slips and falls are a risk when water turns to ice at a fire scene.

SAFE Work Manitoba, a division of the Workers Compensation Board, reminded employers and workers to take steps to prevent cold stress and injury.

“While specific strategies would depend on the type of work, we encourage all employees to check the weather forecast, wear appropriate winter clothing, take breaks to warm up as needed and report any safety concerns to their supervisor,” city spokeswoman Pam McKenzie wrote in an email.

Morris-based Red River Valley and Lorette-based Seine River were among about six rural school divisions that closed their schools Friday. Red River Valley schools also closed Thursday. School buses didn’t run in some divisions.

Drivers were advised to keep their vehicles fuelled, travel with emergency kits and plug in their block heaters.

CAA Manitoba spokeswoman Nadia Matos said the organization received almost 400 calls between midnight and 9 a.m. Friday. The average for a typical winter day is about 500 calls.

“We’re definitely on our way to being a very busy day,” Matos said.

About 80 per cent of Friday morning’s calls were for problems such as dead batteries, flat tires or vehicles running out of gas.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca