Cold Weather
Winter and its cold weather are around the corner. The City of Ottawa and many community agencies and partners work together to share cold weather injury prevention messages and ensure options are available for people to come in from the cold and access services. Cold weather-related injuries and deaths are preventable. With preparation, everyone can experience winter in Ottawa without getting too cold. Stay safe and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at greater risk.
What is the risk of cold weather?
Cold weather temperatures can result in frostbite, hypothermia, slips and falls, and even death. According to Health Canada, the general risk of injuries like windburn and frostbite increases when the wind chill reaches minus 27 and below. Everyone is at risk if not dressed appropriately. However, some people are more quickly affected by the cold – particularly young children, older adults (65+), people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, and those with certain medical conditions.
What is Ottawa Public Health’s role?
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) uses its website and social media posts to share information on how to prepare for cold weather. Extreme Cold Warning alerts are issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 35 C for at least two hours. OPH shares these alerts via social media to notify the public and community agencies that assist people at greater risk of cold weather injuries.
Visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather.
Follow OPH on X (formerly Twitter) @OttawaHealth, Facebook (Ottawa Public Health) and Instagram (OttawaHealthSante) for information on public health topics such as being prepared for cold weather.
Be winter ready!
Download the WeatherCAN app to get directly notified of ECCC alerts.
Get advice and support:
Call 2-1-1 to reach Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario (CNEO). CNEO provides social services assistance (e.g., accessing warm clothing, contacts for community outreach services)
Call 3-1-1 for information and assistance on helping someone get out of the cold, including transportation to shelter.
Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice such as concerns about mental health and wanting to speak with a professional.
Call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency such as frostbite or hypothermia.
Visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather to find information on cold weather and resources in our community, including an interactive map of Places to Warm Up in Ottawa.
Visit www.cneo-nceo.ca/publications-and-lists to find CNEO’s List of Out of the Cold locations (Ottawa) 2024/2025. CNEO also has local social service and support information.
Did you know?
The City of Ottawa has a Minimum Heat Requirement by-law. It requires landlords who normally cover heating expenses to maintain adequate and suitable heat at all times – at least 16.67°C (62°F) at night and at least 20°C (68°F) during the day.
Air Source Heat Pumps are available through Save ON Energy.
The Energy Affordability Program offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to income-eligible households with electric heating. Visit SaveOnEnergy.ca to find out more.
