Extreme Cold Warning

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for Severn and area with frigid conditions beginning this evening and continuing into the morning of January 30. Wind chill values near -33°C to -38°C are expected.

Yellow level warning - cold issued for January 29 and 30:

• Simcoe and Muskoka

Extreme cold poses serious health risks for everyone. 

Recommendations from the SMDHU

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is recommending precautions be taken to support those who are most vulnerable:

• people experiencing homelessness, under housing or lack adequate housing (e.g., poorly insulated, without heat). 
• older adults 
• infants and young children 
• people with chronic health conditions (e.g., respiratory illnesses, heart disease, diabetes)
• people who work outdoors 
• sports enthusiasts (e.g., skiers, ice skaters). 
• people living in homes that are poorly insulated or without heat

Precautions

Please take the following precautions:

• watch for signs of cold-related illness, including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain or weakness, numbness, and changes in skin colour on fingers and toes
• dress warmly and cover exposed skin — frostbite can develop within minutes, especially with wind chill
• check in on older family members, friends, and neighbours
• if it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet
• outdoor workers are encouraged to take regular breaks to warm up

For more information about weather alerts, visit Environment Canada’s Colour-Coded Weather Alerts program.

Warming centres

The Lighthouse and One Community Solutions offers a community warming centre to provide a warm, safe space during extreme cold at 360 West Street South, Orillia (open 24 hours). Reach out by phone to the Lighthouse by calling 705-329-2265. 

County-led warming centres are also open at seven other locations across the region. A full list of locations and hours of operation is available at simcoe.ca/winterwarming.

More resources

• Call 211 (24/7) or visit 211ontario.ca for information on other community services and programs for people who are experiencing homelessness, living on a low income, living alone, or coping with life changes. Services are available in over 150 languages.
• Call 911 (24/7) if you’re concerned about someone experiencing homelessness or sleeping outdoors who may be at risk of frostbite or hypothermia.
• Please refer to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website (www.smdhu.org/cold) and social media for up-to-date information regarding this enhanced notification and for more cold-health information and tips on how to stay warm and protected. 
• Call the SMDHU Health Connection at (705) 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 to speak with a health professional.

Please take precautions and stay safe during this period of extreme cold.

Issued by request from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, received by email on January 29, 2026.