Extreme weather response activated today |
December 8, 2025
The City of Edmonton is activating its extreme weather response to help keep vulnerable Edmontonians safe during cold weather expected in the coming days. The response started on Monday, December 8 at 9 a.m. and an update will be provided by Friday, December 19, 2025, at 9 a.m. As weather conditions change, subsequent alerts may be sent to advise of changes to the activation timeline.
The City activates an extreme weather response when the forecast anticipates -20 degrees Celsius or lower with wind chill for at least three days in a row. City facilities, such as recreation centres and libraries, are available during regular operations for anyone needing a place to warm up.
The City encourages vulnerable Edmontonians to go to shelters to protect themselves from winter conditions. Shelters are the safest option to protect unhoused Edmontonians from frostbite, loss of limbs and death. A list of shelters can be found here.
Winter shelter shuttle
This winter, the City is providing critical services to supplement existing shelters and shuttles. Details on the winter shelter shuttle are available here. Every night until March 31, 2026:
- Two shelter shuttles along the north and south routes run nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., providing transportation to available shelter spaces.
- A 24/7 Hope Mission shuttle runs along a west route, providing transportation to shelters, support services, and healthcare providers.
Extreme weather shuttle
During extreme weather activations:
- A third overnight shuttle is added along the north route to add additional capacity.
- From 12:45 to 3:30 a.m., the north and south winter shelter shuttles will focus on transporting people from transit stations to shelters based on need and are not on a set route. The extreme weather response bus and west bus will continue on set routes during this time.
- Additional information and bus route maps are available at edmonton.ca/ExtremeWeather.
Expanded overnight shelter
Al Rashid Mosque (13070 113 Street NW) will open an overnight shelter from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., providing up to 50 spaces to supplement the existing shelter capacity funded by the Government of Alberta. The shelter is open to walk-ins and is on the north bus route.
In addition to 24/7 shelter sites, there are day shelter spaces operational in these locations:
- AAWEAR Reconnects, 10024 82 Ave NW (upstairs), Tuesdays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Boyle Street Community Services, wâwâhtêwa, 10327 97 St NW, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m - 8 p.m.
- Hope Mission, Bruce Reith Centre, 9908 106 Ave NW, seven days a week, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Herb Jamieson Centre, 10014 105A Ave NW, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- iHuman Youth Society, 9635 102 A Ave NW, December 8 & 9 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Starting December 10, seven days a week, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Jasper Place Wellness Centre, Community Health Centre, 16114 100A Ave NW, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- The Mustard Seed, Canora Community Impact Centre, 15740 Stony Plain Rd NW, Hours to be extended by mid-December to Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- The Mustard Seed, Mosaic Centre, 6504 132 Ave NW, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Tuesdays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- The Mustard Seed, Strathcona Baptist Church Community Impact Centre, 8318 104 St NW (back entrance), Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Navigation Centre
The Navigation Centre, operated by the Government of Alberta and Hope Mission, offers access to 24/7 emergency shelter, income and ID support, health services, housing support and a pet-friendly service. The Navigation Centre is located in Bissell Centre West (10530 96 Street NW) and is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Stay in the know
Sign-up for the City of Edmonton’s Extreme Weather mailing list to receive email updates on activations, extensions and deactivations related to extreme cold, heat and poor air quality.
Sector Emergency Response
The activation is part of the Sector Emergency Response, a collaboration between the City, Homeward Trust and more than 25 system and partner agencies that work together to keep vulnerable citizens safe and warm during the cold winter months. The City and partners determine when to activate the City’s extreme weather response considering weather conditions and existing capacity within community spaces for people experiencing homelessness to safely shelter.
In 2019, City Council approved City Policy C620 which formalizes and clarifies the City’s role in the system-wide response to supporting vulnerable Edmontonians during extreme weather conditions.
How you can help
- Learn to recognize the signs of frostbite: numb, hard or waxy skin that looks grey, yellow, purple or brown. Frostbite can cause lasting damage if not treated quickly. If you suspect frostbite, act fast. Go indoors and warm your skin in lukewarm water without rubbing.
- Learn to recognize the signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, drowsiness or exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss or slurred speech; a person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing.
- Call 911 for someone in serious distress or in cases of emergency.
- Call 211, press 3 for 24/7 Crisis Diversion non-emergency support for shelter, intoxication and mental health information.
- The City’s Quick Reference tool has steps you can take to help someone during the winter months.
- Agencies serving people experiencing homelessness are accepting monetary donations and donations of warm clothing and winter gear. For a list of places to donate, visit Homeward Trust Edmonton’s Sector Emergency Response page and scroll down to ‘How You Can Help.'
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