Extreme weather response extended past Christmas

The city of Edmonton is preparing for a cold snap that's expected to last until at least Dec. 27.

The City of Edmonton is on alert after recent weather forecasts, extending its extreme weather response past the holidays to Dec. 27.

Officials are encouraging vulnerable Edmontonians to seek shelter from the winter cold and prevent injuries like hypothermia, frostbite and death.

• Get the latest Edmonton updates right to your inbox

Winter shuttles will run until March 31, 2026. Two shuttles run along north and south routes nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and a 24/7 Hope Mission shuttle runs along a west route.

A third overnight shuttle is added along the north route during the extreme weather activation, providing additional shelter from 12:45 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. Both the north and south shuttles will transport people from transit stations to shelters based on need rather than following a set route. The added extreme weather response bus and west bus will follow their regular routes.

City facilities and libraries will be open during regular hours for those needing a warm place to stop.

The municipality is funding three homeless-serving organizations to extend hours at four existing day spaces until the end of March:

• The Mustard Seed Community Impact Centre - Strathcona, 8318 104 St.;
• The Mustard Seed Community Impact Centre - Canora, 15740 Stony Plain Rd..;
• Boyle Street Community Services - wawahtewa Arts & Culture Hub, 10327 97 St.; and
• iHuman Youth Society - Circle of Care, 9635 102A Ave.

The Al Rashid Mosque, located at 13070 113 St., will also continue to operate as an overnight shelter from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., providing up to 50 additional spaces to existing shelter capacity currently funded by the province.

More information about Edmonton’s extreme weather response can be found at edmonton.ca/ExtremeWeather. Those needing shelter can also call 211 and ask for the Crisis Diversion Team for immediate, 24/7 support.