Region bracing for cold temperatures ‘we haven’t experienced in years’

A snowy and mild start to the weekend will be turning into freezing temperatures and brisk winds, with the Waterloo Region expected to be hit with the coldest weather of the season.

The area is expected to see some consistent snowfall for Friday and Saturday, with a high of -2 C pushing above the freezing mark to a high of 2 C to begin the weekend. Approximately 4-6 centimetres of wet snow is expected to fall throughout those two days.

The mild weather will turn into some of the coldest temperatures of the season, set to begin as of Sunday.

“Get ready for a deep freeze that will likely last for the rest of January,” said 570 Meteorologist, Jill Taylor. “Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will likely be the coldest days of this January stretch. No January thaw for us.”

She says temperatures are expected to take a steep dip, with wind chills of -34 C by Tuesday. Highs will begin to move downward each day moving into the start of the week with a high of -9 C on Sunday, -14 C on Monday, and falling to -16 C on Tuesday.

“Typically, mid-January is the coldest part of winter. It will be a bitter cold that we haven’t experienced in years, maybe since 2018 or 2019.”

Taylor goes on to say that the risk of hypothermia will be greater than it has been so far this winter, urging people throughout the region to limit the amount of time they’re outdoors and to bundle up with hats, mittens, and scarves, when they’re able.

“If you’re out for long periods of time need, you need to cover all exposed skin. If you start to feel a little unwell, shivering too much, then you need to get inside,” said Taylor. “We’ll be dealing with bitter cold that we haven’t experienced in years.”

For those who love the cold weather, it’ll be exactly what they’re looking for to push through the first month of the year. On the other hand, for any warm-weather lover, spring is just over two months away.