Extreme weather hits the prairies
After a mild winter so far, nature seems intent to make up for lost time
As winter tightens its grip on the Canadian prairies, Saskatchewan residents faced a bone-chilling reality after an unexpectedly warm November and December. The frigid temperatures, plummeting below -40 degrees Celsius and reaching -50 degrees Celsius with windchill lately prompt us to wonder if these extreme weather fluctuations are becoming the new normal.
In a news release from November 1, 2023, the Government of Saskatchewan stated that in response to the prevailing winter conditions, the government is taking action to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals experiencing houselessness amidst these extreme weather constraints. Collaborating closely with partners in Regina and Saskatoon, it is working on implementing comprehensive cold-weather strategies to provide warm and secure shelter and essential support.
Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky emphasized the significance of these strategies, claiming that “Cold weather strategies effectively coordinate community services and resources so everyone in need of shelter has a safe, warm place to stay and access to services.” The Ministry of Social Services collaborates with emergency shelters to verify the availability of spaces, food, and other essential supports.
Saskatoon’s Extreme Cold Weather Strategy, for example, is a community-driven initiative that has been in operation for several years. According to Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Planning at the Saskatoon Fire Department, “Our community-based organizations have worked together for several years to help reduce the impact extreme cold weather can have on homeless and vulnerable folks in Saskatoon.” The strategy is activated when temperatures drop below -30 degrees Celsius.
Similarly, Kim Olsen, the manager of Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity, said “It’s important that people who need a safe and warm place to stay have access to those supports. The City of Regina recognizes the value of our partnerships with community-based organizations to help keep all residents safe during the coldest months of the year.”
In an interview with Global News, Armel Castellan, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, sheds light on the science behind wind chill. It is not a quantifiable measure like temperature; rather, it is a felt experience. Without a definite measure, wind chill is subjective. As Castellan describes, wind chill involves an algorithm that considers the interaction between your skin and the wind.
When standing in a howling wind at -10 degrees Celsius, the wind chill can make it feel like -25 degrees Celsius. This discrepancy arises from the wind stripping away the boundary layer around your skin, hastening the loss of body heat. According to Castellan, more than 80 people die from over-exposure to the cold every year in Canada. Wind chill exacerbates the rate at which the body loses heat, making it a critical factor in health hazards like hypothermia and frostbite.
As we brace ourselves against the chilly temperatures, dressing appropriately becomes crucial. Wearing multiple layers to insulate against the wind and cold becomes not just a matter of comfort but a necessary element in staying safe. Thus, as winter tightens its grip on us, it is important that government initiatives, community-driven strategies, and individual efforts work together to address the challenges posed by the weather.
