Well, that was extreme (weather)

 

By Nerissa McNaughton

 

Whitecourt is just coming out of the latest deep freeze, with temperatures far into the minus 30s last week thanks to the wind chill. How did the cold snap measure up to previous years? The average high this time of year is around -7.1°C and the average low is around -16.5°C. So…yay for not being average? Brrrr! At least we didn’t hit the current longstanding record of -41.3°C! If you were in town on December 29, 1990, that day is likely seared, or should I say, frozen, into your memory.

The week ahead looks much more forgiving than the run up to the New Year, but don’t kid yourself. This is Alberta – northern Alberta – and the best thing you can do for yourself this winter is to be prepared for wild weather.

The Government of Canada’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has this to say about staying warm when the weather is frightful:

• Listen to the forecast and take wind chill warnings very seriously. Depending on the level of wind chill, you could experience everything from frostbite to frozen skin in under two minutes. At last week’s temperatures, hypothermia was a very present risk for those dressed inadequately outdoors.

 

• Plan ahead. This means plugging your car in, having a warm spots to go into if you have to walk and stocking your car with a parka, hat, gloves and a roadside emergency kit. A quick drive or walk can turn deadly if you have an accident and help cannot find or reach you quickly when it’s freezing outside.

 

• Dress warmly. This goes without saying but how many of us run outside or to the store with nothing but a light jacket on, believing that we can get from the car to the warm interior in seconds? Don’t take chances. Keep your warm weather gear on hand.

 

• Stay as warm, dry and active as possible if caught outside. If you are locked out, or otherwise stranded outside, try to find shelter as quickly as possible. If you are sweating, remove outer layers of clothing (but do not expose skin) because wet clothing will freeze. Run on the spot, rub your hands and keep moving to keep your blood flowing.

 

• Watch for hypothermia and frostbite. White patches appearing on the skin, shivering, confusion and loss of muscular control means your body is suffering badly. Seek help immediately. Remember that children, the elderly and anyone with circulation problems will experience hypothermia and frostbite rapidly.

Whitecourt weather can turn suddenly, bringing with it snow, wind and ice (and it really seems like it does this all year long, not just in the winter…). Be prepared, don’t take chances and remember to check on those that have trouble getting out and about during the winter. As a community, we can keep each other warm and safe when the weather gets extreme.