Extreme winter conditions
Prevention tips and steps to take during extreme cold
Find out about the procedures to be followed to ensure the well-being of people and animals during extreme cold.
Protect yourself from the effects of cold temperatures
It is important to protect yourself from the effects of extreme cold since they can aggravate certain diseases and have health impacts such as frostbite and hypothermia.
To obtain additional information on the procedures to be followed during a wintry weather warning, the impacts of cold on health, and at-risk individuals, please consult the following pages.
Protect your animals from cold temperatures
During cold snaps, ensure that your domestic pets have access to a shelter that will protect them since they can also suffer from hypothermia.
To obtain additional information on the precautionary measures to be adopted to protect your animals from the cold, please consult the Températures extrêmes et animaux page (in French only).
Working in cold temperatures
During extreme wintry conditions, employers must adopt precautionary measures to provide safe conditions for work teams. Workers must apply the precautionary measures to protect themselves from the risks associated with exposure to wintry weather.
To obtain additional information, please consult the Travail au froid page (in French only) of the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail.
Last update: October 2, 2025