Prolonged cold snap gives little chance for warm-ups in Alberta
Extreme cold warnings span much of Alberta, with the longest cold stretch in a year hitting the province
The classic Canadian winter weather is back on the Prairies, and the extended cold snap across Alberta will offer little reprieve from the frigid conditions.
Sunday was the coldest day of the season so far across the province, with Calgary seeing a daytime high of only -21.7°C. Temperatures cooled even further in Edmonton, with a high of just -23.1°C recorded on Sunday, as well.
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These bitterly cold temperatures will stay locked in the -20s through Tuesday, just slightly cracking out of it, though still remaining frigid, by the mid-week mark on Wednesday. Factor in the wind chill and things could be feeling closer to the -40s. Widespread extreme cold warnings are in effect for the dangerous conditions.
"Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), in the warning. "If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside."
Through Wednesday:
This prolonged cold snap will persist the entire week, and into the start of next week, as well.
The average temperatures for this time of year are normally around -1°C for Calgary, and -5°C for Edmonton, though we know normal values can still bring some extremes on either side.
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Temperature anomalies are currently 20-25°C below normal for the region into Tuesday, and still remain around 10°C below normal into next week.
Overnight temperatures are expected plunge well into the -30s, with this being the first stretch of -30-degree temperatures since mid-January of 2024.
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"While temperatures will moderate somewhat during the daytime hours, nighttime and early-morning wind chills near minus 40 will likely continue for parts of Alberta until the middle of the week," says ECCC in the warning.
Along with the cold, will also come some snow. A system tracking into Northern California will redevelop east of the Rockies, and bring a widespread 5-15+cm of snow to the southern parts of the region through Tuesday.
Arctic air resupplied
The cold air that is currently in place is being funnelled down from the Arctic, which is continuously resupplying the region with cold air.
This pattern will continue for the next couple of weeks, but with little breaks offered here and there, limiting the extreme cold in the region at times.
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The extreme cold can put everyone at risk, though the risks are greater young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
"Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes," ECCC says.
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Be sure to check back for your latest weather updates across Alberta