Warnings issued as life-threatening cold grips Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Temperatures continue to dip into the -30s on the Prairies, but a positive rebound is on the way.
A temperature roller-coaster is in store for the Prairies this week as a blast of Arctic air pushes through the region.
Tuesday night, we saw the coldest temperatures of the year across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Winnipeg’s overnight low was -30.7 C, a noticeable difference as the normal for this time of year is -19 C.
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Daytime highs for Thursday will continue to be well below normal as the Arctic air continues to linger over the eastern Prairies and northwestern Ontario for Thursday.
Temperatures will range anywhere from -7 C to -26 C for daytime highs. Average daytime temperatures for this time of year ranges in the upper negative teens.
We can’t forget the northerly winds that made it feel a lot colder, with wind chills that ranged from -20 to -40 at times. Heading into Wednesday overnight, wind chill values will be feel bitterly cold, ranging from -10 to -45.
Environment Canada and Climate Change (ECCC) has issued extreme cold warnings for impacted regions. Click here to stay up-to-date with the latest alerts in your area.
Staying safe
With temperatures this low, everyone is at risk — including pets.
Officials are reminding folks to watch for cold-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and/or colour change in fingers and toes.
Below are some tips courtesy of ECCC:
Dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind resistant.
Keep dry to stay warmer.
Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets and jumper cables.
If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Keep moving to maintain your body heat and seek shelter from the wind.
Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.
For more information on cold and your health, click here.
WATCH: Five ways to protect your pets this season
Some good news is on the way
The trough carrying the cold air will continue to travel east and impact Eastern Canada Thursday and Friday. That means temperatures will rebound as the cold air heads east and some Pacific flow will help temperatures rebound.
Calgary, Alta., is slightly protected by the the ridge of high pressure parked over southern B.C., so temperatures will jump to above freezing on Saturday with a high of 3 C. Meanwhile, Regina, Sask., will have to wait until Sunday to see temperatures close to freezing, giving the city a break from the bitter cold.
WATCH: Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates on the Prairies.
