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Extreme cold warnings were in place for most of northern Saskatchewan through Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday afternoon, people in southern Saskatchewan started getting the same treatment from Mother Nature.
Just after 3:30 p.m., Regina, Saskatoon and other areas in the southern half of the province were included in the warnings.
Extreme cold warnings are issued in southern Saskatchewan when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach -40 C for at least two hours.
Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist for Environment Canada, said the forecast for southern Saskatchewan is calling for wind chill values in the -42 C range, so the warnings likely will be extended.
“When we’re talking about wind chills at -40 or colder, we’re talking about frostbite in minutes,” Hasell said, “so plan your time, try not to be outside for extended periods of time unnecessarily, dress warmly in layers with an external layer that’s windproof, and (have) windproof/waterproof footwear.”
She noted that winds likely will be around 15 kilometres per hour in the evening. While that isn’t a high number, Hasell said the breeze will make it “dangerously cold.”
“The winds in themselves are not going to be particularly strong,” she said. “We are under a ridge of high pressure and typically only along the edge of the ridge is the wind going to be a problem.
“For most of Saskatchewan except maybe the very southwestern corner, most of Saskatchewan should not see very strong winds. But because the temperatures are already expected to be so cold, any wind will be a problem and will push the wind chill to warning criteria or colder.”
A winter storm warning that was in effect Tuesday in the southwest was lifted at around 3:30 p.m., but the Highway Hotline said some visibility issues remained on roads in that region.
If an extreme cold warning is issued, that could cause problems for drivers.
“If you’re driving in these conditions and you end up being stranded on the highway for whatever reason and your car is still intact, stay in your car,” Hasell said. “It is already offering you shelter.
“Unless you know you can make it to shelter in a minute — like literally, a minute — stay in your car.”
According to the forecast, the cold snap is expected to last until Saturday.
— With files from 980 CJME’s Shane Clausing