Extreme cold hits Waterloo Region, breaks century-old weather record

A cold, historical night in Waterloo Region.

Environment Canada says temperatures dipped to new lows overnight, shattering a weather record set a hundred years ago.

The national weather agency had an extreme cold warning in effect as wind chill values near minus 30 were expected late Wednesday.

They were not wrong — as a temperature of minus 24.2 was recorded just before midnight, with the wind chill hitting minus 31.

The deep freeze is a new record in Waterloo Region, and it’s apparently taken awhile to beat. The old record low was minus 20.6, and it was set way back in 1917.

An extreme cold warning has been lifted locally, but bitter weather is still expected through to January 1st.

Environment Canada says daytime highs will remain in the minus double digits throughout the weekend — and that’s without the wind chill. They say we haven’t seen this kind of cold spell between Christmas and New Year’s Day since 1993.

With freezing temperatures comes a reminder to dress accordingly, cover up, and avoid keeping pets outside for too long.

You can see more tips from Public Health and a list of local warming centres by clicking here. 

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