THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL

But the skating is so delightful. Ancaster high school friends Sarah Zhao, Kritika and Vibhan Choudhary, and Stephanie Yeu join hands as they skate on an icy cold morning at Pier 8. Spectator reporter Natalie Paddon digs her way through this early January deep freeze and forecasts what’s ahead in the weather.

New year. Same chilly temperatures.

And it’s going to get worse before it gets better, Hamilton.

Environment Canada is calling for a high of -8 C on Wednesday — several degrees colder than the Jan. 3 average of -1.6 C.

Later this week, the temperature is expected to drop, with predicted highs for Thursday and Friday hovering around -15 C and -16 C.

“These are 13, 14 degrees colder than it should be for this time of year,” said David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada.

Only a couple of weeks into winter, Hamilton has already been hit with six days where the temperature has been colder than last year’s chilliest moment of -17.5 C, and a cold alert has been in effect since Christmas.

Halton Region has been under the same warning since Dec. 26.

But it’s not all bad news, Phillips says.

There’s only been one time in 60 years of records — 1977 — where Hamilton didn’t have a January thaw.

“It’s like death and taxes and a January thaw,” he said. “It’s almost guaranteed.”

It looks like ours could come early next week.

On Monday, the temperature is expected to reach 0 C, which could cause some melting, Phillips said.

Slightly above freezing may be a far cry from Hamilton’s last January thaw, which saw temperatures climb to 12.2 C, but it won’t seem as cold as it has this past week, he said.

“It’s not going to be as if you’re going to be all of a sudden rewarded with balmy temperatures and plus 10,” Phillips said. “That’s not going to happen.”

When it is as cold as it has been in Hamilton, warm temperatures might only melt the snow and ice instead of also heating the air, Phillips said.

But it will give Hamiltonians some reprieve and show there is light at the end of the tunnel as mid-January to mid-February is expected to be warmer than normal, he said.

“My sense is that you may have weathered the worst part of winter,” Phillips said.

The city’s medical officer of health issued a cold alert Dec. 25, which will stay in effect until a cancellation notice is issued.

Cold alerts are issued when the temperature drops or is expected to drop below -15 C or when the temperature feels like -20 with wind chill.

During these alerts, city recreation facilities are open during regular business hours for warmth.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority reminds people to be safe. Never walk on frozen lakes and ponds to go ice skating or fishing unless posted instructions say it is safe to do so. And never go out alone, HCA says.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN RENNISON, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR

GARY YOKOYAMA, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR It’s cold, but that does not mean ice is safe. Currents can stop ice from forming and snow can insulate and hide areas of open water or hide thin ice, warn experts. Make sure signs ensure safe ice before venturing out. Here, James Gallant, 21, is doing...

BARRY GRAY, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Hamiltonians bundled against the cold Tuesday as Arctic air continues to blanket much of the country. While it reached -7, the wind made it feel much colder. Expect more of the same Wednesday with a high of -8.

JOHN RENNISON, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Lachlan Wood, 6, from Australia, enjoys the good ice conditions on the rink at Pier 8 Park. His dad Tyson is originally from Hamilton and is visiting the city, allowing Lachlan time with his grandparents.