Chatham, Ontario, is currently enduring its longest continuous stretch of sub-zero temperatures in more than a decade, with freezing conditions lasting for 12 straight days as of February 3, 2026.
According to Environment Canada data, overnight lows have fallen to −16°C, while wind chills have made it feel as cold as −25°C. This deep freeze has lasted longer than the major cold snaps of 2014 and 2015, putting extra pressure on home furnaces and local services.
Local utility officials say the energy grid is holding up under sustained, elevated heating demand. Entegrus, the local electricity distributor, is managing increased electricity loads as usage has remained high for more than a week. Residents are being encouraged to check their heating systems as the frost reaches deeper into the ground, which can increase the risk of frozen or burst water pipes.
Chatham Hope Haven and the municipal transition cabins are working to keep the community’s most vulnerable people safe during the cold. A recent local news report noted these facilities are seeing high demand, with some warming centres operating around the clock to provide shelter from the elements.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is monitoring thick ice forming on the Thames River. Experts warn that a sudden thaw or heavy rain could break the ice into large pans that jam downstream — potentially causing water to overflow into streets and basements, similar to the February 2019 ice jam that prompted a localized state of emergency.
