Ottawa Public Health issues frostbite advisory

Ottawa Public Heath has issued a frostbite advisory beginning this evening and continuing until Thursday.

Environment Canada predicts a temperature of -29 C tonight with wind chill. The cold weather will continue through the next four days until it finally lets up on Friday.

Last week senior climatologist at Environment Canada, David Phillips, told media that this is Ottawa's coldest winter in 20 years.

There have been six frostbite warnings and now 13 frostbite advisories issued in Ottawa since December.

Ottawa Public Health issues frostbite advisories when the weather is expected to drop below -25 C, and warnings when the weather is expected to drop below -35 C.

The health agency recommends dressing in layers, wearing mittens and hats and wearing footwear with good traction to reduce unnecessary risk. They also suggest looking for early signs of frostbite and seeking professional help if needed.

Signs of frostbite include reddish skin, pain in exposed areas, and numbness in frostbitten parts.