While temperatures climbed to the minus four range Friday morning, Environment Canada says it is about to get a lot colder with wind chills dipping to -30 C.

Environment Canada has issued a Yellow Alert for the cold and blowing snow for Sarnia-Lambton.

Wind chills near minus 30 may return Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Lambton County’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Karalyn Dueck, has issued a Cold Weather Alert for the region based on the latest forecast .

The alert is expected to remain in effect until Sunday and may extend to Monday.
A Cold Weather Alert is issued when one or more of the following is met:

• Daily, low temperature is predicted to be -15°C or below, without a wind chill value.
• Environment Canada issues a wind chill warning for Lambton County.
• Extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard or ice storm, are predicted.
  

Lambton Public Health advises residents should take precautions by dressing in layers, shielding exposed areas from the wind such as head, neck, and face, and limiting time spent outdoors.

Overexposure to cold can be hazardous and even life-threatening. Hypothermia, which can
strike in any season, occurs when the body’s temperature drops below the normal range
between 36.1°C and 37.8°C (97°F and 100°F). Symptoms may include pale skin, lethargy,
confusion, excessive shivering, and hallucinations.

For more information on severe cold weather and the risks involved including hypothermia,
frostbite and how to avoid them, please visit LambtonPublicHealth.ca.

Environment Canada, meantime, says risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

Check on older family, friends and neighbours. Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets and jumper cables.

Watch for colour changes on fingers and toes, pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, or swelling. If present, move indoors and begin warming.

Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.