Warming Centres Remain Open as Arctic Cold Persists Into the Week

pdated Monday, January 26, 12:00 p.m.

Following a brutal weekend winter storm and the arrival of an Arctic air mass, dangerously cold temperatures continue to grip much of southern Ontario and Quebec at midday Monday. While snowfall has tapered off in many areas, extreme cold conditions are expected to persist into the coming days, prompting cities to keep warming centres and emergency supports active across Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Municipal officials and community partners are urging residents to plan ahead, limit outdoor exposure where possible, and make use of available warming centres, particularly overnight and during early morning hours when wind chills remain most severe.

Below is a current reference list of warming centres and warm spaces available as of Monday afternoon. Availability, hours, and services may change depending on weather conditions, so residents are encouraged to check official city updates regularly.

📍 Toronto — Warming Centres

Activated during extreme cold conditions
Open 24 hours a day while cold persists. Walk-ins welcome. Locations are pet-friendly and provide a warm place to rest, meals, and access to washrooms.

• 136 Spadina Road, Toronto
• 81 Elizabeth Street (behind City Hall), Toronto
• 349 George Street, Toronto
• 12 Holmes Avenue, Toronto
• 885 Scarborough Golf Club Road, Toronto

Surge Warming Locations (opened during prolonged cold):
• Cecil Community Centre, 58 Cecil Street
• Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, 870 Queen Street East

City officials advise residents to watch for temporary parking restrictions near these locations as snow removal operations continue citywide.

📍 Ottawa — Warm Spaces & Support Services

In Ottawa, the city and its partners maintain a network of indoor warm spaces during extreme cold events. These include public libraries, community centres, and drop-in support locations. While not all sites operate as overnight shelters, they provide essential daytime and evening relief from the cold.

For the most up-to-date hours and availability, residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or consult the City of Ottawa’s online resource map.

Examples of warm and drop-in locations include:
• Ottawa Public Library, Sunnyside Branch — 1049 Bank Street
• St. Joe’s Women’s Centre — 151 Laurier Avenue East
• Centre 507 — 507 Bank Street
• The Ottawa Mission — 35 Waller Street
• Shepherds of Good Hope — 233 Murray Street

Hours vary by site. Some services may be weather-dependent.

📍 Montreal — Warming Centres & Temporary Support Sites

In Montreal, several warming centres and temporary support sites operated by community organizations and municipal partners remain open through the winter season. These locations offer a place to warm up, rest, and access basic services during periods of extreme cold.

Current warming locations include:
• Hôtel-Dieu Warming Centre — 3840 rue Saint-Urbain
• Couvent Ste-Émélie — 4837 rue Adam (open through the winter season)
• Ste-Bibiane Church Warming Site — 5600 12e Avenue (women’s service)
• STM Building Warming Centre — 1465 boulevard Marcel-Laurin
• Édifice Lucien-Saulnier — 66 rue Saint-Antoine Est (near City Hall)

Residents are advised to confirm hours before traveling, as some locations adjust operations based on weather severity and staffing.

Looking Ahead

Forecasts indicate that below-seasonal temperatures and dangerous wind chills will continue into midweek, even as snowfall subsides. Officials across all three cities stress the importance of checking on vulnerable neighbours, staying informed through official channels, and using available warming centres when needed.

Residents planning travel or outdoor activities should dress in layers, limit exposure, and monitor local advisories closely as cleanup operations continue and cold weather lingers.