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Friday, March 19, 2010

GTA Shivers Through Dangerous Cold

2007/01/25 | CityNews.ca Staff

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Decembrrrr! Early Blast Of Cold Air Will Freeze GTA All Weekend

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"It's so cold that on Parliament Hill today, the politicians actually had their hands in their own pockets."


It's an old joke, of course, but there's nothing funny about the bitter temperatures that have descended on the GTA.


An Arctic air mass and some freezing breezes have combined to create dangerous conditions for anyone who has to be outside for more than just a few minutes.


January 25th is traditionally seen as the dead of winter, the coldest day of the year. And it certainly lived up to its history. Thursday's high (if you can call it that) was -11C.


Nighttime temperatures will plummet to -18C or zero on the old scale, with dangerous wind chill values closing in on -30C. At that rate exposed skin can freeze within about 10 minutes.


Friday won't be much better.


The brutal conditions have led the city to extend its Extreme Cold Weather Alert for another day. It's called whenever the temperature drops below -15C without the wind chill, putting the homeless in danger.


Extras shelter space is opened and patrols encourage those who live on the street to use them.


If you see anyone in distress, you can call the Street Helpline at 1-866-392-3777. It's a free call, even from a payphone. 


Whatever the results on skin, it hasn't affected some heavy metal. The CAA tells CityNews.ca its battery boosting service has actually received fewer calls than they usually get during an average winter day.


Normal is about 400 calls an hour. Thursday's volume during the morning rush was just 300. Wait times average about 30-60 minutes.


But spokesperson Edyta Zdancewicz is warning you shouldn't be fooled by the stat. The longer the cold spell lasts and the longer your car sits outside, the more calls they're expecting and the more time you'll have to stay put.  


This cold is like a sledgehammer to the system, pounding relentlessly at you the longer you stay out in it. And it's the kind of deep freeze that even multiple layers don't seem able to fix.


What's the average Toronto resident doing to combat it?


"I'm keeping warm with a soy latté, and I'm all bundled up and I'm going to take a streetcar home instead of walking," answers Alex D'Archangelo.


"I've got a track pants under my jeans. You can't see it. And on top of that I've got a vest, a sweater and a big puffy jacket," reveals Anand Khelawan.


But the best answer may be from tourist Joshua Guilar, who thinks it's all a matter of perspective. "Toronto is so warm compared to further north, like Baffin Island. You should try that!"





For those who toil outside, it's almost torture.


"The wind's the worst," concedes one construction worker as he shivers in the cold.


Bike courier Ian McPhee has it even worse. "These two fingers, they went a little bit white," he demonstrates, removing a glove. "Every once in a while I still feel them going numb."


Frostbite and hypothermia are the dangers all of us face in this extreme cold and with the exception of a brief warm-up coming on Saturday, this Arctic blast is going to stay with us for a while.

Experts say you should be aware of the early signs so you can take action when the symptoms set in.

"You may notice your fingers may feel numb, they may start throbbing, feeling a little bit of pain," advises Dr. Binita Dubey,  the Associate Medical Officer of Health. "Afterwards you may notice that they're getting red."


The best thing to do is find a warm spot and then put your hands in warm - not hot - water.


Another caution: beware of the ice. It may be cold and the lakes may be frozen, but the surfaces aren't stable.


And if you fall in at these temperatures, you won't survive long.


What should you do if it happens to you?


"Try to stay on the surface, don't go below the water," explains P.C. Gavin Bloom of the Toronto Police Marine Unit. "If you break through, do whatever you can to stay on the edge of the ice."


But your best bet is to stay away from the frozen water's edge altogether.

The Toronto Humane Society also reminds pet owners if it's too cold for you, it will be too cold for them. They suggest you don't leave your dog or cat outside for more than just a few minutes at a time, and that walks be cut back until conditions improve.


Animals can suffer frostbite on their ears and paws and have no way of telling you they're in pain.


It's hard to believe that three weeks ago everyone was wondering when winter would actually arrive.


Now they're just asking when it will leave.

  • CityNews wants to know what you think is the coldest spot in the G.T.A., a place where the wind howls and shivering is the major form of exercise. Send your nominee to news@citynews.ca and we'll not only publish the most popular, but send some unlucky reporter to the scene to test your theories.

For the latest forecast, click here.


How do they calculate the wind chill?






Frostbite & Hypothermia


The average person's skin begins to freeze within 10 minutes at bitter wind chills. And while most of us won't suffer from hypothermia, we could get frostbite.


"Frostbite is a cold injury where a body part or the skin actually freezes," explains CityNews Medical Specialist Dr. Karl Kabasele. "That can cause damage to the tissue and can result in the loss of a body part or damage to the skin."


Here's a refresher course on what to do if Jack Frost does more than nip at your nose.


Frostnip


This is a mild form, where only the skin freezes. It can appear yellowish or white, but feels soft if touched. It's accompanied by a painful tingling or burning sensation.


What you should do


Warm the afflicted area gradually. Putting it under hot water or hot air could cause a burn - and you may not be able to feel it before it's too late. Try not to rub or massage the area, which could cause further damage.


Generally, frostnip isn't serious and is easily cured when you get out of the cold.


Frostbite


A more extreme form of the cold, it can have far more serious consequences. In this case, both the skin and the underlying tissues are affected, making your flesh look white and waxy and feel hard when touched.


But chances are you won't be able to feel those touches - the area usually goes completely numb.


What you should do


As before, gradually warm the area, using either body heat or warm (not hot) water. Beware of burning the skin, especially since you can't feel anything right away.


Avoid rubbing or massaging the affected area and if the sensation doesn't return soon, seek medical attention.


It doesn't happen often, but untreated frostbite can lead to amputation if the damage is too severe.



Warding off winter


According to the city of Toronto, here's some other things you can do to prevent the season from getting the bite on you:

  • Maintain a heated environment (City law requires landlords to maintain an adequate heat level of 20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit between September 15 and June 1 of each year).

  • Wear layers of warm, dry clothing, including hats and gloves.

  • Be aware of hypothermia (body temperature of 35 degrees Celsius/ 95 degrees Fahrenheit or less). Signs include stiff muscles, puffy face, slurred speech, shivering uncontrollably, slowed breathing, poor physical condition and mental confusion. If these signs are recognized, call 911.

  • Drink non-alcoholic beverages such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate or soup.

  • Some prescription drugs may increase vulnerability to cold. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Be aware of elderly and disabled people living alone; offer assistance if necessary.

  • Don't use your oven as a heating device. All space heaters are a fire risk if used improperly.

 

Environment Canada has a chart that shows when you're most at risk for frostbite.

Wind ChillRisk of frostbiteHealth
Concern		What to do
0 to
-9		Low- Slight increase in discomfort- Dress warmly, with the outside temperature in mind.
-10 to
-27		Low- Uncomfortable
- Risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods without adequate protection		- Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Wear a hat, mittens and scarf.
- Keep active.
-28 to
-39		Increasing risk: exposed skin can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes- Check face and extremities (fingers, toes, ears and nose) for numbness or whiteness
- Risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods without adequate protection
- Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Cover exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.
- Keep active.
-40 to
-47

High risk: exposed skin can freeze in 5 to 10 minutes

(In sustained winds over 50 km/h, frostbite can occur faster than indicated.)

- Check face and extremities (fingers, toes, ears and nose) for numbness or whiteness (frostbite)
- Risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods without adequate protection
- Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Cover all exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.
- Keep active.
WARNING LEVEL
-48 to
-54

High risk: exposed skin can freeze in 2 to 5 minutes

(In sustained winds over 50 km/h, frostbite can occur faster than indicated.)

 

- Check face and extremities frequently for numbness or whiteness (frostbite)
- Serious risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods
- Be careful. Dress very warmly in layers of clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Cover all exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.
- Be ready to cut short or cancel outdoor activities.
- Keep active.
-55 and colderHigh risk: exposed skin can freeze in less than 2 minutesDANGER!
- Outdoor conditions are hazardous
- Stay indoors

Courtesy Environment Canada

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