Coldest January in 8 years can't keep these Kitchener-Waterloo residents inside
If the start of 2022 has felt particularly frigid to you, your instincts are correct.
Experts at the University of Waterloo weather station say it's the coldest January the region has seen in almost a decade.
"You have to go back to 2014 to find a colder January on record," said Frank Segleniek, University of Waterloo weather station coordinator.
Segleniek explained with just a few days left to go, the first month of 2022 has been about 3.4 degrees colder than the 30-year January average of - 6.5 C.
It feels especially icy in contrast to recent years.
"If you go back to last year, this January is going to be six degrees colder than it was last January," Segleniek said. "And a full eight degrees colder than the January two years before that."
And while the streets may seem empty when it gets this cold, CTV Kitchener didn't have to look far to find people embracing the brisk winter air on Wednesday.
"It's a perfect day for a run in my opinion. The sun is out," said runner Heather Meadley. " You bundle up and it's not that bad at all."
Runner Heather Meadley hits the trails despite the chill on Wednesday. (CTV News Kitchener/Spencer Turcotte)
The freezing conditions were no match for walker James Skidmore.
"I grew up in Saskatchewan, Saskatoon actually," said walker James Skidmore, noting he may have even “overdressed” for the temperature. "This is a nice spring day."
People who had no choice about whether to be outside in the cold were also looking on the bright side.
"You don't have to worry about sweating too much," said construction worker Mike Sauntry. "It's a lot easier to stay hydrated."
Cool air has its benefits when you're hard at work like this construction crew. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
As for those who prefer things a little warmer, there's good news.
The University of Waterloo weather station is forecasting temperatures closer to seasonal heading into February.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Djokovic needs medical attention after getting knocked on the head by a water bottle at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after apparently getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.