Windsor facing most extreme cold alerts in a decade

Windsor has seen more cold alerts this season compared to the last decade. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has the details.

Another blast of bitter cold is descending on Windsor-Essex this weekend, capping off what forecasters say has been the coldest stretch the region has seen in years.

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold advisory for Friday night into Saturday morning, warning that temperatures are expected to plunge to -17 C with wind chills making it feel closer to -30 C.

Warning preparedness meteorologist Trudy Kidd said the deep freeze follows a winter that has been anything but typical for southern Ontario.

“It’s been much colder than normal,” Kidd said Friday.

“We had a cold start, and then it warmed up during the first week of the month into the second week. I don’t know if people remember this, but we actually broke a record on Jan. 9 for the high temperature.”

That day, Windsor reached 14.9 C, smashing a record set in 1880.

“Those days seem long gone,” Kidd said.

“After that, that latter half of the month in Windsor just stayed bitterly cold. It stayed below normal – and not just a bit below normal, but significantly below normal.”

The numbers back that up.

According to data provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Windsor has already seen four cold weather warnings issued this winter – the highest number in at least a decade. In several recent winters, including 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23, the region saw none at all.

Kidd said typical early February conditions in Windsor are far milder.

“Usually, this time of year we’re seeing high temperatures of minus one and overnight minus eight,” she said.

“And currently it’s minus one, so not bad. But tonight, we’re going to see those temperatures dive down to -17 C. And then to make matters worse, the wind is going to kick in. We’re looking at wind chill values feeling like –30.”

The latest cold snap arrives just days after Groundhog Day offered playful predictions about an early spring – a forecast Kidd said shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

“We have to be prepared for a good stretch of winter, regardless of what any Groundhog Day result was,” she stressed.

While a brief warm-up is possible next week, Kidd cautioned that the pattern could flip back to colder-than-normal conditions before the month is out.

“By the time we’re done February, it’s possible that we will have seen another month that’s colder than normal,” she said.

“But fingers crossed. Time will tell.”

For many residents, the prolonged chill is wearing thin.

“This is the worst winter we’ve had in I can’t even imagine how long it’s been,” stated Windsor resident Lilly, who summed up her feelings bluntly.

“It sucks. That’s the only way you can put it.”

Others are taking the season in stride.

“It’s winter. It’s not summer, so you’ve got to expect this weather,” said Windsor resident Mohamad Jarb while shovelling his driveway.

“I enjoy winter. I like the snow.”

Still, the sense of fatigue is hard to miss.

“I’m over it. I’m ready for summer to come,” said resident Jason Samson.

“It’s depressing, but you’ve got to make the best of it.”

That winter weariness is translating into a surge of people looking to escape the cold altogether.

At Valente Travel in Windsor, president and owner Al Valente said demand for sunny getaways is at a level he hasn’t seen in decades.

“With this weather being this crazy this year, this has been one of the busiest years – if not the busiest year – in all of our 33 years of business,” Valente said.

“Everybody completely wants to get away from this and go down south somewhere.”

He said nonstop flights from Windsor to warm destinations have been especially popular.

“It’s the craziest year probably that I can remember definitely since pre-COVID,” Valente exclaimed.

“This amount of snow and the record cold – that does it for people. They’re fed up. They just want to get out of here.”

Valente believes it isn’t just the temperature driving the rush.

“It’s also the grayness that people want to get away from,” he said.

“They want to get that vitamin D. So, the best way to do that is to hop on a plane and get down to Jamaica or Cancun or wherever it may be.”

With more residents heading out of town, Valente and local Crime Stoppers officials are reminding travellers to protect their homes before leaving.

“First of all, for social media, you can wait until you get back,” Valente advised.

“If you do social media when you’re away, they’ll know you’re away.”

He recommends using smart light timers, keeping a car parked in the driveway and arranging for snow removal to make homes appear occupied.

Those tips echo advice from Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers, which encouraged residents to take precautions such as pausing mail delivery, securing valuables, and asking trusted neighbours to check on properties.

Kidd said that despite growing frustration with the season, it’s important not to let winter vigilance slip.

“It’s still important for people to be prepared,” she told CTV News.

“They might feel used to it now, but certainly for vulnerable populations it will be important to keep checking on them.”

She also urged pet owners to take the cold seriously.

“If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet to be outside,” Kidd said.

Meantime, forecasters say Windsorites will need to bundle up a little longer – with no immediate end to winter’s grip.