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Caring for our city’s most vulnerable is especially critical in extreme weather conditions.
Updates will be posted here when the extreme weather response is activated.
The extreme weather response implements City Policy C620 to ensure the
health and safety of all Edmontonians, particularly those who are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
The City will activate a response for extreme cold, extreme heat and high risk air quality conditions. Learn more about when activations will occur and what to do during these 3 extreme weather conditions.
For extreme heat, the threshold for activation typically involves the presence of an Environment Canada alert and forecasts with peak temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius during the days and lows of 14 degrees Celsius during the nights for at least 3 consecutive days.
During extreme heat conditions, the key health risks involve dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The extreme heat response in Edmonton is therefore focused on expanding access to water and cool indoor spaces for respite. It is also important for Edmontonians to know how to prepare and what to watch for during extreme heat, such as symptoms of heat illness. Helpful information is provided by the Alberta Government and Alberta Health Services on managing extreme heat.
Extreme heat can be dangerous. Everyone should drink plenty of water even before feeling thirsty, and stay in a cool place. It is important to watch for symptoms of heat illness:
Edmontonians needing potable drinking water can go to one of the water bottle filling stations that attach to fire hydrants. Water bottle filling stations give 24/7 access to potable water throughout the summer months. Installation began on May 16, with a target date for all stations to be operational by May 20. The water bottle filling stations will be available until September 30, 2023. Below is a list of all the water bottle filling station locations:
There are an additional 24 water bottle filling stations within Transit Centres and LRT Stations that Edmontonians also can access.
The threshold for air quality activations is 3 consecutive days of a score of 7 or higher on the Air Quality Health Index. This is the first activation of the extreme weather response due to poor air quality. Activations will include the following measures:
The City encourages people to take any and all actions to reduce exposure to the smoke. For example, keep all building and vehicle windows and doors closed as much as possible. Additional information on the hazards, symptoms and health risks of smoke and poor air quality can be found in Alberta's daily update on wildfires and air quality.
The City also encourages Edmontonians to check in on older family, friends and neighbours. If you are concerned about someone outside, you can help by calling:
In extreme cold, the threshold for activation typically involves the presence of an Environment Canada alert and forecasts with temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius with wind chill for at least 3 consecutive days. Other factors can influence decisions to activate, such as shelter capacity and information from front line service providers about the health risks and impacts on vulnerable populations. To ensure the health and safety of vulnerable people who may be at risk of harm, the City will err on the side of caution when activating extreme weather measures.
Activations will typically include the following measures:
Learn to recognize the signs of hypothermia:
Note: A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing.
Call 911 for someone in serious distress or in cases of emergency
Call 211, press 3 for 24/7 Crisis Diversion non-emergency support for shelter, intoxication and mental health
Our quick reference tool has steps you can take to help someone during the winter months.
The City actively participates in the Sector Emergency Response, a collaboration between the City, Homeward Trust and more than 25 system and partner agencies working together to keep our vulnerable citizens safe and warm every night. The City and partners determine when it’s appropriate to activate the City’s extreme weather response considering weather conditions and existing capacity within community spaces for people experiencing homelessness to safely shelter.
Any activation is part of the Sector Emergency Response. The response runs every year from November 30 to April 1 and provides expanded shelter and services to those experiencing homelessness. In 2019, City Council approved a that formalizes and clarifies the City’s role in the system-wide response to supporting vulnerable Edmontonians during extreme weather conditions.
| Online | Contact 311 Online |
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If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311
| Telephone | 311 |
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| TTY | 711 |