The City of Edmonton activated its extreme weather response due to dropping temperatures and an active snowfall warning.
The response was active as of 9 a.m. on Thursday and is expected to run until Sunday morning.
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The city said it will extend the response if the weather conditions remain cold beyond the weekend.
The requirement for activating the weather response is temperatures below -20 C with wind chill for at least three consecutive nights.
During the extreme weather, city facilities such as recreation centres and libraries will be open for anyone seeking shelter from the cold.
The Bissell Centre, Boyle Street Community Services, Canora Community Impact Centre, Mosaic Centre and the Strathcona Baptist Church Community Impact Centre are also providing shelter during their operating hours.
The Al-Rashid Mosque will not be able to provide additional shelter because of Ramadan.
Two shelter shuttles will commute along north and south routes nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. until March 31 to provide transportation to shelters around the city, with a third shuttle running along the west route, added during extreme weather responses.
If you see a vulnerable person sheltering outside during the cold weather, call 211 and ask for the Crisis Diversion Team.
They will connect anyone in need with transportation to a nearby shelter and connect them with supports. The Crisis Diversion Team is available 24/7.
If you suspect someone is in serious distress, call 911 immediately.
More information regarding the city’s weather response is available online.
