How cold is TOO COLD to go to work outside?

J

jimintoronto

Well-known Member
On one of the Canadian Reddit discussion groups, this topic is being talked about. Many Canadians who work outside like farmers, construction workers and emergency services people are saying that minus 40 either Celsius or F, is their deciding point. How cold is TOO COLD for you to go out and work outside all day?
 

Minus anything would be too cold for me to work outside, altho' I did it as a kid in winter every frozen morning delivering milk to doorsteps... but I wouldn't want as an adult to be working every day in minus degrees.. at all....
 

When I was younger and horse-riding-addicted, the guideline I made for myself was to not ride under 20 degrees (F) or on days when the wind was above 20 mph.
Now, gee I think I'm wimping out from going for an outdoor walk if it is under 30, today it is low 20s and gray and I don't see any exercise in my future (maybe a few minutes on the treadmill).
 
I can tolerate the temp range of 28 degrees to 32 degrees F with no wind for about 3 hours. Although I love being outdoors as much as possible, I don't take the risk when the temperatures dip below freezing, especially with any winds greater than 10mph. I just take a few quick walks around my backyard on those days I feel trapped indoors because of the weather:)
 
To shovel, there is no minimum here as the coldest it has ever been is -30F and I could work in that. Snow pants, mufflers, heavy boots, and chopper mitts can make it ok and the shoveling keeps me warm.

To jog, I like 0F or higher with the chill factor as there are stretches with open fields and a lot of wind. And I am not wearing the heavy gear like I am when shoveling.
 
I grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Typical winter -40 below. As long as I was dressed for the weather I was fine. I would very, very much rather work outside in - 40 cold weather anytime rather than 100 degrees in hot weather!! It has been becoming extremely hot in Vancouver, BC in the summer and I absolutely hate it.
 
jimintoronto said:
On one of the Canadian Reddit discussion groups, this topic is being talked about. Many Canadians who work outside like farmers, construction workers and emergency services people are saying that minus 40 either Celsius or F, is their deciding point. How cold is TOO COLD for you to go out and work outside all day?
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I've never truly experimented. However, I walk my dog in a T-Shirt and shorts when it's snowing out. I'm not too sensitive.

Heat on the other hand floors me.
 
Michael Z said:
To shovel, there is no minimum here as the coldest it has ever been is -30F and I could work in that. Snow pants, mufflers, heavy boots, and chopper mitts can make it ok and the shoveling keeps me warm.

To jog, I like 0F or higher with the chill factor as there are stretches with open fields and a lot of wind. And I am not wearing the heavy gear like I am when shoveling.
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Same here, when I shovel something light is okay. Don't want to sweat and get sick.
 
When we were doing the Land Survey for Manchester Airport (Then known as Ringway) in the early 80s, in winter, it was well bellow freezing for the whole month we were there. We were working at night! They gave us the one piece fleecy suits that fishermen wear plus one piece under garments and fur lined boots. VERY toasty for about an hour but by the end of a 10 hour shift we could hardly walk. We had to sit indoors for a couple of hours before we were fit to drive home. I don't ever want to be that cold again!
 
Reminded me:

Just went out and cleared snow at 10F. Came in for a second to get something, snow on coat slightly melted. Went back out, front storm door closed against my coat. Stuck to it instantly as the moisture froze. :ROFLMAO:
 
LoveTulips said:
I grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Typical winter -40 below. As long as I was dressed for the weather I was fine. I would very, very much rather work outside in - 40 cold weather anytime rather than 100 degrees in hot weather!! It has been becoming extremely hot in Vancouver, BC in the summer and I absolutely hate it.
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I take your heat any day.
 
I think you really can't do much work when the temp is below the freezing point of water. Water vapor is everywhere, and when frozen sticks like glue to whatever. Below freezing, you can move boulders, etc., but any fine detailed work is way too hard to do.
 
Thankfully, anyone who has to work in sub 0 temps, there is heated clothing. It used to be, you would be so layered up, bending over was like doing crunches.
I feel sorry for the people that take care of the power lines in terrible weather.
 

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