Warnings of severe cold weather have been issued across Ontario as the province faces a wave of cold weather, with many communities in the province experiencing cold winds approaching -40 degrees Celsius. Temperatures have pushed Ontario onto the list of the coldest places in the world, with the cold expected to continue through the weekend.

The Canadian Ministry of Environment issued severe cold warnings on Saturday, January 20, with a period of "very cold winds" expected. Warnings are issued when extremely cold temperatures or cold winds increase health risks such as frostbite and hypothermia. Lake Kirkland was recorded as one of the coldest places in the world on Friday, according to Weather Now, a site that tracks extreme weather phenomena worldwide.

The temperature in the town located northeast of Ontario was -33.2 degrees Celsius on Friday morning, with cold winds making it feel like -37 degrees Celsius.

In Toronto, temperatures at Pearson International Airport were - degrees Celsius on Friday morning, but with the wind chill, it felt like -17 degrees Celsius.

In the northern part of the city, the temperature in Barrie on Friday morning was severely cold at -16 degrees Celsius, but it felt like -24 degrees Celsius with the wind.

Meanwhile, the temperature in Parry Sound was -20 degrees Celsius, but with the wind chill, it felt like -28 degrees Celsius.

The Canadian Ministry of Environment advises residents to watch for cold-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, and changes in the color of fingers and toes.

It says: "Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with cold winds."