Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Widespread cold warnings are in effect across the Prairies, while blowing snow and snow squalls are expected to affect parts of Ontario and Quebec, according to Environment Canada.
As of Thursday, yellow and orange weather alerts for extreme cold and snow cover large parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, the territories and Atlantic Canada.
In northeastern Alberta, wind chill values are expected to plunge between –40 and –50 through Thursday. Environment Canada warned that extreme cold poses a risk to everyone and advised residents to dress in layers that can be easily added or removed.
Nearly all of Saskatchewan is under cold warnings, with only the far southwestern corner spared. The weather agency said a multi-day stretch of bitter wind chills is forecast for both southern and northern regions, while central areas could see wind chills near –45 until at least Friday night.
Most of Manitoba is also under an orange-level cold warning, excluding the Hudson Bay shoreline near Churchill. Wind chills across the province are forecast to range from –45 to –50 into the weekend as colder and windier Arctic air settles over the region.
Northwestern Ontario is facing similar conditions, with Environment Canada warning of a prolonged period of extreme cold. Wind chill values could reach –45, with areas closer to Hudson Bay potentially dipping to –50.
“Little relief is expected during the day as an Arctic air mass establishes itself over the region and remains in place through the weekend,” the agency said.
Environment Canada urged Canadians to watch for cold-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, swelling, or changes in skin colour on fingers and toes. Frostbite can result in the loss of extremities and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
In addition to the cold, yellow snow squall warnings and watches have been issued for parts of northern and southwestern Ontario, including the Ottawa region, as well as sections of Quebec, including Montreal.
