Extreme cold weather to stay for several days: Environment Canada
As extreme cold weather brings wind chill values nearing -40°C, it's impacting everything from winter recreation to the city's most vulnerable population.
Saturday marked the opening day for A Maze in Corn's 25th annual snow maze.
Angie Masse, the maze's co-owner, said above seasonal weather made it a challenge to construct the maze this year, the opposite problem for the maze's 2023 launch.
"It's opening weekend, and it just happened that the coldest weather of the season hit this weekend, so you definitely have to dress for it," she said.
With daytime temperatures around -27°C, the maze was forced to shorten its hours this weekend to 12-6.
Masse said the cold did make opening day quieter, but there were still plenty of people who braved the weather.
"There have been lots of people coming up all bundled up and exploring everywhere, so it is nice to see," said Masse.
"Hand warmers, lots of layers, positive attitudes," exclaimed one group when asked how they were staying warm in the maze.
Environment Canada and Climate Change Canada said the cold weather is due to a polar vortex centred near Baffin Island.
"That cold air has come down from the north in over the last 24-36 hours and going to sit over us for the next few days," said Eric Dykes, a meteorologist with ECCC.
"Slight, slight, slight moderation of temperatures perhaps by mid-week," added Dykes. "Normal highs for this time of year, for example, are -11°C and normal lows around -22°C and our daytime high are going to struggle to get to what should be overnight lows for us for this time of year."
Dykes warned frostbite can happen in minutes -- a major concern for the city's unsheltered population.
"Some of the people who are most vulnerable in the city right now don't have the resources or even the proper clothing to be out in weather like this," said Kevin Walker, the interim director of the Bear Clan.
To help those stuck in the cold, the Bear Clan's mobile unit was out patrolling on Saturday to give hot food and clothing.
"We've got mini ravioli we've made up. We have some sandwiches, and we always carry like water and warm blankets and mitts and toques and things like that," said Walker.
The Bear Clan said it is currently in need of winter wear and hand warmers. It said donations can be dropped off at its two locations during open hours.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Angst and calls for resting places as Surrey, B.C., pet cemetery development continues
A single headstone is all that remains of dozens of markers for long-buried pets in a subdivision in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood, where a half-acre parcel bears a large sign announcing the proposed construction of new homes.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.