Practise y'all wonder whether it'due south safe to get to work when the wind chill alphabetize shows "feels like-50"? If you lot don't know the answer to this question, this guide is for you! The following will show you how to dauntless the elements safely (and when to just stay home):

Windchill hazards table

The chart shows you how long yous tin can be outside earlier information technology is detrimental to your wellness. Information technology as well indicates what to exercise and vesture for various degrees of windchill.

Chart adjusted from Windchill Hazards and What to practice from Surroundings Canada.

If you are going out, it pays to program your travel, especially if you will exist taking the bus. Brand certain that you:

1. Know the motorbus schedule beforehand – Carefully time your departure from the business firm so that yous will be just a few minutes early only non so early that yous'll accept to wait in the cold for a long time. Based on experience, I prepare out effectually five to x minutes earlier than the prescribed time to get out suggested by Winnipeg Transit's Navigo Trip Planner. This is because I walk slower in winter.
2. Go a mobile app – Mobile apps are life savers! These volition tell yous precisely how many minutes until the bus comes. It volition also point if the passenger vehicle will be belatedly, if there's a change in route, when the next bus is coming, and other rider information. Check out: BUSguide, Wpg Bus Live (Android and iOS), transit (works in more than 125 cities worldwide), Winnipeg Transit +, myBus Winnipeg –Live Transit, or get the mobile version of Navigo. All these apps are free.
3. Find a nearby shelter – Yous are fortunate if at that place are heated bus shelters along your route. Just if at that place aren't any, lookout man for possible shelters near your stop like a convenience store, building or any structure that can protect you from the wind and snow. In the event that your bus is delayed (or for whatever other emergencies), you will have somewhere safe to get to.
4. E'er dress warmly – I observe that it is safer to add an additional layer if I will commute. Y'all can always take some layers off later on if you feel too warm. Read the adjacent department for more tips on getting the right winter clothes and gear for the weather.

If you're driving, it's smart to check the corporeality of snow fall to guess road conditions. Also, tune in to the news and other radio programs for traffic advisories and then that you tin avoid delays if at that place are vehicular accidents, road closures, rerouting and the like. Always be prepared. Have a shovel, snow castor and ice scraper in your car. Better however, equip yourself with a winter driving kit which we described in this article: Meridian iii winter driving tips.

Dressing for winter

For hardy Manitobans, there's no such thing as bad weather condition. Only poor clothing choices. So this season, forget vanity – or at least make it a secondary business organization – and choose the warmest windproof clothing yous can find (check the chart above for recommended gear).

Wintertime Coat
A winter coat is a must, and the all-time ones are downward-filled, nylon jackets. If you tin find fur, it can exist the warmest pick, like sheared beaver or mink. Even so, getting them may be plush (or against your principles). But if toll is your only concern, you lot can cheque out some austerity or vintage stores. They may take adept fur coats, scarves or hats.

Features you need to look for in a wintertime coat:

• Loftier collar to cover your throat and lower face.
• Warm insulating hood. Make sure it has drawstrings so you can tighten it around your confront.
• The cuff must be tight and elastic to enable you to constrict your gloves in. This ensures that no part of your skin is exposed to the elements.
• Some check the temperature rating to know if the jacket volition be appropriate for the conditions. However, others say that temperature ratings practise not take everything into account (similar humidity, current of air, activity level etc.) so they may not be then useful. If you demand a wintertime coat for a specific action, like for example for skiing or for working outdoors, you will be better off asking the manager or salesperson for help.
• Color can be some other consideration. For your kids, it'southward better if yous choose winter jackets in bright colors so that they are more visible to motorists should they need to walk to schoolhouse. If you piece of work outdoors most of the time, visibility tin can likewise exist a plus. So go for the yellows and reds, instead of the usual blacks, grays and browns.

Layering
Of form, you already know that the best strategy to keep warm is layering. This ways that you have two to three layers of wearing apparel underneath your wintertime jacket and pants. These tin can be composed of thermal underwear, shirts or sweaters, and tights. Textiles like wool, corduroy, and fleece are the best at keeping body warmth in. Cull your layers (or how many) depending on your needs or activities for the day. And don't forget to shed some layers if the temperature becomes warmer – sweating tin can freeze your skin and deplete your body heat. This can lead to hypothermia. In frigid weather, you lot may likewise need other winter accessories:

• Hats – there are various types you tin can cull from depending on your way and comfort level (meet examples hither: 9 types of winter hats, U.P. Supply Co.).
• Ear muffs – if your hat does non come down to your ears, and then you lot may need actress protection. Extremities are the first ones to injure when exposed to the common cold. There are many types of thermal ear warmers simply the best ones are made of fleece, fur, or sheepskin. You can even choose one with built-in headphones or the headband blazon (see some samples here: half-dozen ear warmers that won't mess upward your hair, Chelsey Hamilton, Health.com).
• Gloves or mittens – we recommend using mittens for more warmth since it allows your fingers to bunch together and create more estrus. Even so, if you accept them on while working and need your fingers to dispense objects or operate equipment, then you would demand gloves. The warmest types are made of cashmere, wool, fleece, too as leather ones lined with any of these materials.
• Shoes/Boots – Winter shoes can range from sneakers to thigh-loftier boots. You can choose your pair depending on your style/taste/preference and the activeness you will be wearing them for. But you should always continue in mind durability (peculiarly if yous will exist trudging through snowfall), as well as the height of the heels and the cloth and thickness of the sole for your safety and comfort. The all-time ones are waterproof and skid-free.
• Others: This year's must-accept accompaniment is the face mask. Delight habiliment one especially if you're taking the charabanc to keep yourself and others safe. Meanwhile, scarves, mufflers, or stoles protect and provide warmth for your neck and shoulders. Wool scarves are the warmest. If your legs get common cold, employ wool socks or thermal socks and leg warmers (read 14 best socks for winter that continue your feet warm and dry by Sam Escobar, Bustle.com). Don't forget shades or sunglasses to protect your eyes from the air current and glare of the lord's day. If you will be working or playing sports outdoors for a long time, y'all will need goggles.

Accessories for added protection

• Ski pants – If you volition be outside for an extended time, it is all-time to habiliment ski pants. These windproof and waterproof pants volition help keep your legs warm and dry. If you demand less protection but still want warmth, yous can also opt for fleece or flannel-lined pants or leggings.
• Face up masks – In addition to a regular face mask, at that place are thermal ones that tin can cover your entire face, with holes for your eyes and nose (if y'all'll be exterior for an extended time). These provide maximum protection from the cold wind. Just like hats, they come up in various styles, such as a balaclava hood, full or half face comprehend, or just a neck warmer. Certain, you'll look weird, but every bit I have mentioned, forget nigh vanity…
• Metal or rubber grippers – these are attached to the soles of your shoes to help you lot walk through icy, glace surfaces. They provide traction so you don't slip. They are handy. Y'all tin can go along them inside your bag when y'all don't need them or for later apply.
• Gaiters – If your shoes and lower legs need extra protection or if you don't like wearing high boots and need to trudge in snow, a good option would exist gaiters. Gaiters are garments worn over your shoes and lower pant legs. They are weather condition-resistant, waterproof, and are detachable.

Lastly, always take lip balm and moisturizer in your bag. Wind burn can happen when the air is dry.

Disclaimer: English Online does not profit from the sales of products mentioned in the links for winter accessories. They were chosen for bodily depictions/photos. We practise not endorse them.

Article updated February 8, 2021.

Sources: Yes, you can survive this cold! Ten tips from a Canadian, Caitlin Kelly, Broadside Blog; Cold environments – Working in the cold, Canadian Eye for Occupational Health and Safe; Surviving Canada's cold atmospheric condition – How to prepare, Phil Sylvester, World Nomads; and Deep freeze tips for surviving the extreme cold gripping Canada, CBC News. Accessed January 2 and 3, 2018.