As the polar vortex hits, Montrealers are getting ready for extreme cold and safety tips are being shared to stay warm and safe.
Montreal: Folks in Montreal are really gearing up for a serious cold snap. The polar vortex is rolling in, and it’s going to feel like minus-40 in some spots. Yikes!
This chilly weather is expected to stick around until Wednesday, so everyone’s got to be smart about it. Stephanie Ogé from Urgences-santé is reminding people to bundle up, even if it’s just a quick trip outside.
She suggests if you have to go out, do it with a buddy and avoid lonely areas. Better safe than sorry, right? CityNews chatted with Hydro-Québec and Urgences-santé about how to prep for this cold snap.
They’re saying it’s a good idea to have emergency kits ready, stock up on food, and keep an eye on your energy use. Remember the last polar vortex? Quebecers hit a record energy consumption of over 43,000 megawatts!
Now, they’re expecting around 41,000 megawatts on Tuesday morning. Cendrix Bouchard from Hydro-Québec mentioned that the cold nights really drive up the usage.
He also suggested lowering your heat by a degree or two for a few hours. It won’t be a big deal for you, but it’ll help the whole network a lot.
Urgences-santé is stressing the importance of dressing appropriately, especially for the young and elderly. They need to watch out for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, like redness and tingling.
Ogé said they’re on top of things, making sure they have enough responders ready in case of emergencies. Some newcomers to Montreal are feeling the chill for the first time and are figuring out how to handle it.
One person mentioned that while some wear lighter jackets for style, a heavy winter coat is the way to go. Another said it’s cold but dry, which feels different than humid cold. And someone from Mexico said they’ve never felt anything like this before!
