A lot of Canada woke up this Friday covered in a white coat. Although during the winter the North American country usually registers low temperatures, those on these days are an exception.

A 3,000 kilometer long polar front has led the authorities to issue a severe cold alert for temperatures that will reach -20 and down to -30 degrees Celsius in various cities across the country.

The alert issued by the Canadian Meteorological Service applies to this Friday and Saturday and predicted that the capital will be one of the places where the most adverse weather conditions are recorded. therefore, in Ottawa the thermal sensation will reach the -40 degrees.

For his part, in Toronto – Canada’s largest city – authorities have said temperatures will be 10 degrees above, in -30 degrees Celsius, and advised people not to leave their homes. In the meantime, for those who have to go abroad, they ask limit time spent outdoors since there is a risk of frozen.

While most people took the advice of experts and stayed home, some brave ones took to the streets and shared some postcards of the day on social media. tracks covered in white, snowflakes falling from the sky and people cycling on a narrow path without snow are some of the most viewed images.

To deal with this, the municipal authorities organized centers to whom the the homeless can come be safe until Sundaywhen we expect temperatures are rising Again. Those who have difficulties in properly air-conditioning their home.

However, some netizens have warned that the government shelters quickly filled up, which has left many people still on the streets, where their lives are in danger. This is the case of photographer Chris Young, who photographed a man sleeping on the sidewalk in Toronto when the thermometer marked -29 degrees.

In turn, in both cities, it was pointed out that the law protects pets, so dogs and cats – among others – must be kept inside the house and not exposed to low temperatures.

The central and western area of ​​Canada – the second largest region in the world after Russia – woke up to a similar scenario. For example in winnipegone of the main cities of the country, the citizens realized that their thermometers showed temperatures of -24 degrees and a thermal sensation of -35 degreessomething extreme even in this region accustomed to the cold.

Montreal -in eastern Canada- is another of the cities most affected by this cold front which will leave, this evening, temperatures of -27 degrees and it will receive Saturday with even more cold, with approximately -40 degrees thermal sensation.

There, the municipality also allowed two emergency centers so that about 100 homeless people can take refuge from the cold.

Meanwhile, in Atlantic coast provinces like New Brunswick temperatures could drop to -50 degrees given its proximity to the sea, a figure never reached in the last 40 years.

(With information from EFE)

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