Residents in St. Thomas, Ontario should prepare for a dangerous drop in temperature as wind chills are expected to reach minus 29 overnight Monday, Jan. 26 into Tuesday morning, Jan. 27, 2026. According to Environment Canada, southwest winds gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour will make the air feel much colder and could cause blowing snow on local roads.
The extreme cold has led Southwestern Public Health to issue a cold weather alert for the community. Southwestern Public Health and Environment Canada warn exposed skin can freeze in about 10 to 30 minutes at these wind‑chill values.
For anyone needing a warm place to stay, the emergency shelter at 10 Princess Avenue, known as The INN (formerly Inn Out of the Cold), often implements surge capacity during severe wind‑chill events. Residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbours who might have trouble with their heating and should limit their time outdoors to avoid injury.
The City of St. Thomas roads department is monitoring the weather and applying salting and sanding according to its Winter Maintenance Plan. Drivers should watch out for blowing snow, which can make it very difficult to see while travelling on Tuesday morning (Jan. 27).
