Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) lifted a Yellow Cold Warning for the Petawawa–Pembroke–Cobden region on Monday, January 26, 2026, after a four-day deep freeze that produced wind chills in the roughly -30°C to -35°C range.
The warning began on January 23, 2026, when wind chill values dropped into that -30°C to -35°C range across Renfrew County. ECCC removed the formal yellow-level alert once forecasts showed wind chills rising above the -30°C threshold used for warning criteria in this area.
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) cautioned that “exposed skin can still freeze in under 30 minutes at current temperatures,” and urged residents to keep dressing in layers and to check on neighbours who may be vulnerable to the cold.
The Mesa Warming Centre at 156 John Street in Pembroke remains operational to provide a warm, safe place for people in need; local reporting indicates the centre is open throughout the season. Jerry Novack, executive director of The Grind Pembroke, has emphasized that warming-centre services are vital during the winter months to protect the most vulnerable in the community.
Municipal services such as road maintenance and transit are moving back toward standard winter operations as the immediate life-threatening threshold has passed. However, officials note that icy conditions and other winter hazards can persist, and residents should stay prepared and check with Pembroke Public Works for any remaining road advisories.
