Temperatures in the southeast are swinging like a pendulum as we approach the official first day of winter on December 21st. Last weekend saw highs of up to plus seven while last night’s low neared minus 30. Now Saturday is expected to bring warmer temperatures again, meteorologist Danielle Desjardins with Environment Canada says the back-and-forth temperatures bring physical and psychological effects.
“Psychologically it can be quite frustrating. I mean you get stiflingly cold temperatures where you don't even want to go outside and then a couple days of fairly mild temperatures for this time of year so it can be quite frustrating.”
“Physically of course the extreme cold temperatures can have physical impacts of frostbite if you're not dressed warmly enough and of course people who are vulnerable such as homeless people and when you're forced to be outside they can be more at risk for the extreme cold.”
Desjardins explains temperature swings are fairly common in the winter as arctic air from the north competes with warm air from the pacific.
“It just seems like we're in this stuck in this pattern of hot and cold with the arctic air coming down and then being pushed out and then a rinse and repeat. That's what we're going to be seeing for the next week or so with temperatures becoming fairly mild for this time of year over the weekend and then looking at another push of arctic air early next week.”
Temperature is also affected by humidity. Desjardin notes this makes temperatures feel colder and begin to penetrate through winter jackets, emphasizing the importance of layering when out in the cold.
“Best bet is to be prepared for the weather, whether it's minus 30 or even getting up into the minus teens or approaching zero, layer appropriately just to make sure that you have enough clothes on to keep you warm. That's the best way to deal with these types of situations and be prepared.”