The temperature is dropping in Ottawa. Here’s how cold it will get and what the city is doing

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Coldest weekend of 2026 in Ottawa

Friday 6 p.m. weather update

Paging Dr. Paul: Frostbite prevention & treatment

Polar vortex to grip Ottawa

The temperature in Ottawa is going to keep getting colder during the day Friday and will remain well below freezing throughout the weekend.

Environment Canada’s weather forecast for Ottawa calls for the temperature to drop to -21 C Friday afternoon with a wind chill around -32. Overnight, the temperature will keep dropping to around -27 C with a wind chill of -39.

A “yellow” cold warning for Ottawa was issued Friday morning, indicating a moderate impact with a very high forecast confidence.

“Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes,” Environment Canada said. “Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. Check on older family, friends and neighbours. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside. Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.”

Wind chills this low bring a serious risk of frostbite. At -30 or colder, exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 minutes. Tips to prevent frostbite include wearing a hat or tuque, wearing a scarf to protect the neck and face, putting larger mittens over gloves, and ensuring you stay dry. Avoid drinking alcohol and, whenever possible, get indoors or stay indoors.

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Mixed in with the cold is a 60 per cent chance of flurries and wind gusts of up to 50 km/h.

While these will not be record-breaking temperatures, they’re still below the seasonal norms. Typically, the daytime high this time of year is around -6 C, and the low is closer to -16 C.

Saturday will not see much relief. The sun will be out, but the daytime high is forecast to be -18 C with a wind chill of -28. Saturday night’s low is -29 C. Sunday is looking cloudy, with another high of -18 C, still below the usual low temperature for mid to late January.

Temperatures next week are forecast to be a little warmer, with highs around -10 C with lows around -20 C.

City of Ottawa offering support

While the deep lows might be good for ice formation on the Rideau Canal Skateway, they’re not good for people who spend a lot of time outdoors.

The City of Ottawa says supports are available for people experiencing homelessness, including emergency spaces in shelters.

Peter Tilley, CEO of the Ottawa Mission, says the shelter becomes extremely busy on the coldest days of the year.

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“Our beds have been full. The mats that go down on the chapel room floor have been full. And now people in the lounge area, where we have plastic chairs or they curl up on the floor, the numbers can get as high as 30 to 40 per night on nights like this,” he told CTV News Ottawa on Thursday.

A list of places to warm up in Ottawa, not including overnight shelters, is available on Ottawa Public Health’s website.

The Salvation Army’s 24/7 outreach team can provide transportation to shelters and winter clothing to people in need.

The city says anyone can call 3-1-1 get referred to the best available shelter or to get assistance for someone who needs transportation to get out of the cold. Call 2-1-1 anytime to find out how to access drop-in centres, community and health resource centres, food banks and community food programs, winter clothing, financial assistance with utilities and a list of “out of the cold” locations with free meals, snacks and drop-ins.

If you need immediate medical attention or know someone who does, call 9-1-1.

Ottawa Paramedic Service superintendent of public information Marc-Antoine Deschamps told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal on Friday that if you are having a medical emergency while outdoors, it’s important to inform dispatchers.

“It’s very important you tell our communication officer that you are outside in the cold because that will change the way we will respond to that call,” he said.

Frostbite and hypothermia

Signs of frostbite

1. Affected areas will look red, white, bluish-white, grayish-yellow, purplish, brown or ashen, depending on the severity of the condition and the person’s usual skin color.
2. Affected areas will become painful.
3. White, waxy-feeling patches will appear. This means skin is dying.
4. Affected areas will then feel numb

Should frostbite set-in:

• Do not rub or massage affected areas. It may cause more damage.
• Warm up the area slowly. Use a warm compresses or your own body heat to re-warm the area. Underarms are a good place.
• If toes or feet are frostbitten, try not to walk on them.
• Seek immediate medical attention if skin does not return to normal after being warmed up.

Signs of hypothermia

• Ottawa Public Health says look for the “umbles”:
• a person who mumbles
• a person who stumbles
• a person who fumbles objects

What to do in case of hypothermia

• Remove wet clothing that promotes hypothermia.
• Get to a warm place as soon as possible. Use several layers of blankets heated in your home dryer if possible.
• If the person is alert, give warm beverages. Never give alcoholic beverages.
• Seek immediate medical attention.

Taking care of pets

The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is urging pet owners to be cautious in cold temperatures, particularly cats that are allowed outside.

“The OHS is encouraging members of the public who find stray cats in the cold to contact 613-725-3166 ext. 223 to ensure the cat can return home safely or to arrange for the cat to be brought to the OHS. If a cat is in danger, call Ottawa By-law Services at 3-1-1,” the Ottawa Humane Society says.

If you’re driving, OHS says to be mindful of animals hiding in cars to keep warm. Bang on the hood a couple times to scare away cats and wildlife. Also avoid leaving pets in a cold car.

Tips for dog owners

• Limit the time dogs spend outside.
• Take dogs for shorter, more frequent walks, and consider a sweater or coat for the dog.
• After a walk, wipe the dog’s paws to remove salt, sand and other harmful substances.
• Monitor outdoor water bowls to ensure the water hasn’t frozen.

“Dogs who live outside are required by law to have an insulated doghouse built from weather-proof material, facing away from prevailing winds. The shelter must be elevated from the ground with a door flap and bedding,” the humane society says.