Experts call for caution, readiness like Saskatchewan affected by extremely cold snap

The long -lasting cold snap in Saskatchewan brings the dangers of being unprepared for the cold, especially for new residents who are not used to Prairie Winters.

While the winter blue certainly settles in, it can also frost damage if only skin is exposed to the air for some longer in this cold weather.

“Realistically, everything lower than zero degrees, you can get frostbite,” said Mike Schindel, Medavie Health Services West Operation Manager.

“Temperatures with the wind chill when it hits around -26 or so, that’s what the wind chill. It can easily take 30 minutes. And you can get frostbite with it … it’s usually your fingers, toes, nose, cheeks and ears. “

Mohamad Baydoun, a doctor at the University of Regina, said that frost damage can be minor or severe and could require medical attention. He said newcomers to Saskatchewan must be very careful.

“They may come from climates, how severe cold and heavy snow is unusual,” he said.

“When they are not used to cold temperatures and harsh winters, they probably underestimate how quickly frost damage can develop.”

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Schindel notes that the most important thing is to dress for the weather.

“If you can put up, that’s the best thing,” he said. “If you have some moisture-wicking material, you can carry it.

“Make sure you also have good tits or gloves. And if you have good boots, hopefully there is some insulation in them. “

Both Regina and Saskatoon are under extreme cold warnings from Environment Canada.

“A multi -day episode of very cold wind coolers is expected,” the warning reads. “A prolonged extreme cold event continues over southern Saskatchewan, where most of the region experiences extreme wind cooling values ​​of minus 40 or lower at times this week.”

With the extreme cold, heating shelters in Saskatoon, Regina is the top of the mind for some. However, Saskatoon says that heating of shelter placements has not yet reached a maximum capacity.

City Director of Emergency Administration Pamela Goulden-MCLEOD said that warming sites at night are busy under extreme cold, but there is still plenty of capacity for more people if needed.

The gentlemen’s warm -up location overnight is on average about 80 to 90 men per night. Night. The CO-ED location on average about 150. Women’s shelter average about 65 to 80 women per Night.

Goulden-MCLEOD attributes the extra space to have additional locations this year.

“Last year we only had one place, and we saw so important numbers for it,” said Goulden-Mcleod. “Clearly, the colder it is, the more people we have in these places, so we see that people can sometimes become creative and find other places to be.”

Goulden-MCLEOOD notes that warm-up sites overnight need winter clothing donations, and even items like hand warmers can go a long way.

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