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Extreme cold has hit Canada in January, including -40 °C temperatures (which, coincidentally, is also -40 °F, and if you don't believe me, just calculate it yourself using the formula °F = °C × [9/5] + 32) in multiple regions. Accompanied by heavy snow, the weather closed down schools and caused electricity shortages, reminding everyone of nature's might.

To show you what all of that looked like, we put together a list of photos taken during this frigid spell, and if there's one thing that stands out, it's the local communities' ability to adapt and persevere in the face of even the most challenging times.

#1

It's Cold Enough In Calgary Today That I Used A Frozen Towel As A Toboggan

It's Cold Enough In Calgary Today That I Used A Frozen Towel As A Toboggan

BadWeatherKyle Report

#2

Calgary, Alberta This Morning! Hot Water Freezes Faster Than Cold Water Due To The "Mpemba Effect"!

Calgary, Alberta This Morning! Hot Water Freezes Faster Than Cold Water Due To The "Mpemba Effect"!

BadWeatherKyle Report

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Remi (He/Him)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Remember that when doing this you need to be sure it's cold enough. Someone in Finland got splashed by hot water and a bit burned, because the outside temp was too warm.

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In the middle of the month, a polar vortex was sweeping in from the Arctic through the West, while a storm swirling up from Texas was wreaking havoc in the East, leaving millions of Canadians facing snowstorms or severely cold temperatures. 

At one point, roughly half of the country was under extreme weather warnings.

#3

When Asked "How Cold Is It, Actually?" Show Them This

When Asked "How Cold Is It, Actually?" Show Them This

beauman1313 Report

#4

My Thermometer Has Bottomed Out. Actual Temperature Is -44c

My Thermometer Has Bottomed Out. Actual Temperature Is -44c

iamfromcanadaeh Report

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Tee Rat
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear Canada, although we appreciate your kind offer to share your cold weather with us to the south we have plenty of cold at this time.

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"We've got really, really, really cold air coming down from the Arctic in the west. And then in the East, we have this really potent weather system that's coming up from the south," Jesse Wagar, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said at the time.

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According to Wagar, in the wintertime, the country does get dynamic weather patterns, but these were "pretty unusual."

#6

Clothing Outside In Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Clothing Outside In Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Musicferret Report

#7

It's So Cold At Arrowhead Tonight That The Refrigerator Is Keeping Drinks Warm

It's So Cold At Arrowhead Tonight That The Refrigerator Is Keeping Drinks Warm

JoePompliano Report

#8

It's This Cold In Calgary

It's This Cold In Calgary

BadWeatherKyle Report

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LauraDragonWench
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, that's one way to cool off hemorrhoids. I know, I know - I'll show myself out. 🤭

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"Some of the temperatures that we are seeing in Western Canada, not only is it incredibly cold compared to what we've seen recently, but they're record-breaking temperatures in general," Wagar added.

#9

Saturday Omfg

Saturday Omfg

VinneBabarino Report

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However, things are changing. Above-than-normal temperatures should begin to spread into parts of Western Canada beginning Tuesday.

While we're not looking at all-time, record-breaking warmth for January, the thaw should be pretty long-lived.

#12

-50c / -58f Temperatures In Alberta, Canada And The Livestock Water Heater Can't Keep Up

-50c / -58f Temperatures In Alberta, Canada And The Livestock Water Heater Can't Keep Up

milesdmorgan Report

#13

Does Anyone Know If It's Cold Outside Or Something?

Does Anyone Know If It's Cold Outside Or Something?

--------hey-------- Report

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Tee Rat
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd say by the look of surprise and the frozen tear on the outlet that would be a yes.

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#15

It's So Cold The Exhaust Fumes From The Furnace Are Freezing Up

It's So Cold The Exhaust Fumes From The Furnace Are Freezing Up

GlassturtleOG Report

By next week, an even stronger heat signal will see daytime highs sitting above the freezing mark as we start the month of February, possibly kicking off the snowmelt for parts of the country.

#16

The Moisture From My Breath Froze On My Glasses

The Moisture From My Breath Froze On My Glasses

TheDonutPug Report

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Remi (He/Him)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just so effing annoying. Foggy eyeglasses are supposed to clear after a while, but when they do that, you just end up waiting and waiting

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#17

The House And Vehicles Held Up Pretty Well Against The Cold Until This Morning... Literally Thought It Was A Gunshot

The House And Vehicles Held Up Pretty Well Against The Cold Until This Morning... Literally Thought It Was A Gunshot

WheelsandWatches Report

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The Silly Stellar Jay
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I am we play the "was it a gunshot or fireworks?" game. I guess in Canada apparently it's more of "is it a gunshot or oppressively freezing temperatures breaking the glass in my structure?" game.

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#18

It's Cold Enough In Calgary Today That I Played Frisbee With My Shirt!

It's Cold Enough In Calgary Today That I Played Frisbee With My Shirt!

BadWeatherKyle Report

#20

Canada-Suffering-Cold-Winter-Pics

Canada-Suffering-Cold-Winter-Pics

BadWeatherKyle Report

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Annabelle
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could be a good excuse to get rid of some of the unnecessary light pollution

blixten1982
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was frustrating (I live in Calgary). They sent out an emergency alert that buzzed on all cellphones in the city asking residents to cut down electricity use because 99.4% of the grid was being used. It warned against using appliances unnecessarily and microwaving instead of using the stove. Why didn't it say, 'and if you manage an office building turn off the lights."?!?!

Lily8
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An emergency alert was sent out across the southern province asking everyone to decrease their power usage because of the strain on the power grid or rolling outages would begin (in -40 and colder). People unplugged everything possible in their homes to prevent the rolling outage to prevent risk of freezing in their houses, while downtown offices/decor remained lit even though they were empty. It was disgraceful. P.S. people pulled together and lowered their usage DRAMATICALLY, preventing the rolling outages. It was an amazing response by our communities.

Quitethedilemma
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Possibly. But I'm not sure that purple tower in the background needs to be lit up like that. It looks more ascetic than functional.

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Valerie G.
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Toronto I used to arrive at my office on Bay Street really early (6:00am or so) and they were still sweeping up dead birds that would fly in to the windows and die. This was all because they would leave the lights on at night. This was every day folks.

Doofnuts
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

.I would like top point out, if those building don't stay warm the frozen pipes and subsequent frozen water damage to the buildings will be catastrophic. Look at Russia to see what happens in this case.

Shiva Ho
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stupid High Rise Buildings! They should ban anything over 3 stories as unsafe and an eyesore!

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#21

Emergency Power Alert

Emergency Power Alert

JoeRogansNipple Report

#24

It’s Pretty Cold In Calgary, Canada. -32°c!

It’s Pretty Cold In Calgary, Canada. -32°c!

aoisenshi Report

#25

In Case You’re Wondering How Cold It Is In Edmonton Lol

In Case You’re Wondering How Cold It Is In Edmonton Lol

TheLisaEvans Report

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#26

It’s So Cold That The Inside Of My Window Is Beginning To Freeze

It’s So Cold That The Inside Of My Window Is Beginning To Freeze

Straight-Hold-4444 Report

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Audra
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Live in Kansas in U.S. couple weeks ago it was so cold (definitely NOT this cold!) But back door glass was completely iced over and windows had ice all around the edge of the windows! It was crazy! I could NOT imagine living there! No offense Canadians but your a tad bit Cray Cray 🤣🙃🙃🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

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#27

Fast Chargers Stop Working In Yellowknife Due To Cold Weather

Fast Chargers Stop Working In Yellowknife Due To Cold Weather

Monomette Report

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Rupp
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My understanding is that electricity has less resistance in cold. Batteries on the other hand perform worse.

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#28

Extreme Cold Warning: Record Power Use Triggers Grid Alert | Spike In Ems Calls For Cold-Related Emergencies

Extreme Cold Warning: Record Power Use Triggers Grid Alert | Spike In Ems Calls For Cold-Related Emergencies

hamer1234 Report

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Lauren S
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think if I lived in Canada right now we would never leave our house, live off canned goods if needed. And I think we’d all sleep in one bed to share warmth. I would expect schools and work to simply close, although my employer falls into the essential personal category, thankfully my role there does not.

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#30

You Know It’s Winter…

You Know It’s Winter…

stroobco Report

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Verena
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They do it here in the Netherlands as well, as soon as the temperature drops below 0°C (this is when water starts to freeze, 100°C is boiling water). For those who cannot identify the photo: It is the gas heaters heating the switch of some train tracks. Edit: The line is caused by several heaters in a row, think "camping stove"-type, with supply pipes and bigger gas tanks instead of the blue or red gas tanks. Here in NL you will have actual flames, too, but much smaller than on the photo.

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