Amidst the chilling temperatures in northwestern Ontario this week, concerns about vehicle performance during cold weather are common. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued forecasts for extremely cold days and nights ahead, with temperatures plummeting below -20°C at night and daytime highs around -19°C.
These frigid conditions are keeping Neil Cutting, the shop manager at Thunder Bay’s Payless Automotive Maintenance and Repairs, busy. He mentioned a surge in battery issues, alternator problems, power steering malfunctions, and fluid-related troubles due to the cold weather.
To ensure smooth running of vehicles in extreme cold, Cutting advised drivers to invest in block heaters and plug their vehicles in overnight. Block heaters help maintain warm coolant, keeping the engine and oil warm for quicker operation, particularly recommended when temperatures drop below -12°C.
Additionally, using battery blankets to keep the battery warm is advisable, as extremely low temperatures can reduce battery performance significantly. Electric and hybrid vehicle owners should be aware of decreased battery capacity in cold weather, affecting driving range. It is essential to carry jumper cables, a battery booster pack, and coolant during winter driving.
Looking ahead, ECCC predicts a warm year in 2026 for northwestern Ontario and globally, marking it as one of the hottest years on record due to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The agency forecasts a global mean temperature rise of 1.35°C to 1.53°C above pre-industrial levels, attributing this trend to long-term greenhouse gas emissions and the El Nino/La Nina cycle.
As an El Nino event is anticipated towards the end of 2026, there is a high likelihood of 2027 setting a new temperature record due to the warming impact of El Nino on global temperatures.
