Extreme weather response activated today |
January 21, 2026
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 starts on Wednesday, January 21, at 9 a.m., and is expected to end on Wednesday, January 28, 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 C or lower with wind chill for at least three days in a row. City facilities open to the public, such as recreation centres and libraries, are available during regular hours of operation 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.
If you see someone sheltering outside, please call 211 and press 3 for the Crisis Diversion Team. This 24/7 service connects vulnerable individuals to transportation, shelter and the support they need. Making that call could protect someone from harm and potentially save a life.
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:
- Two shelter shuttles operate along the north and south routes 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.
- From 12:45 to 3:30 a.m., the north and south winter shelter shuttles focus on transporting people from LRT and 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 St. NW) will operate as 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 accessible via the north bus route.
Day shelter spaces
In addition to 24/7 shelter sites, day shelter spaces are available at the following locations:
- AAWEAR Reconnects, 10024 82 Ave. NW (upstairs), Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Boyle Street Community Services, wâwâhtêwa, 10327 97 St. NW, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m to 8 p.m.
- Hope Mission, Bruce Reith Centre, 9908 106 Ave. NW, seven days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Herb Jamieson Centre, 10014 105A Ave. NW, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- iHuman Youth Society, 9635 102A Ave. NW, seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Jasper Place Wellness Centre, Community Health Centre, 16114 100A Ave. NW, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 1 to 3 p.m.
- The Mustard Seed, Canora Community Impact Centre, 15740 Stony Plain Road NW, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- The Mustard Seed, Mosaic Centre, 6504 132 Ave. NW, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 9 to 11 a.m.
- The Mustard Seed, Strathcona Baptist Church Community Impact Centre, 8318 104 St. NW (back entrance), Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 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 St. 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 by considering weather conditions and available capacity in community spaces where people experiencing homelessness can safely shelter.
In 2019, City Council approved City Policy C620, which formalizes and clarifies the City’s role in a system-wide response to support 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 if someone is in serious distress or in cases of emergency.
- Call 211 and press 3 to access 24/7 Crisis Diversion non-emergency support for shelter, intoxication and mental health information.
- The City’s Quick Reference tool details additional 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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