Environment Canada and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit are urging residents of Tecumseh, Ontario, to stay indoors as an Extreme Cold Warning is expected to produce wind chill values near −30°C through the morning of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
Environment Canada says an Arctic air mass moving into Southern Ontario will make conditions feel much colder than the actual air temperature. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit warns that at these wind-chill levels frostbite can develop on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes, and that the risks are greater for young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, led by Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, is advising anyone who must go outside to dress in warm layers (wool or synthetic fabrics) and to limit time outdoors. Local animal-welfare groups have also urged pet owners to keep animals indoors where possible — commonly summarized as, ‘If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.’
The Town of Tecumseh is the municipal authority responsible for maintaining public facilities such as the Tecumseh Arena. Residents should check the Town’s website or contact municipal offices for the latest information about available indoor spaces or warming locations during the freeze; as of this check there was no public town announcement specifically stating that warming centres were being opened for the Feb. 7–8 event.
For the latest official alerts and tips on staying safe in extreme cold, see Environment Canada’s weather warnings (https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=on) and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s notices (https://www.wechu.org).
