Brr! Extreme wind chills bring cold warnings to much of Saskatchewan

After a brief reprieve from cold weather earlier in the week, it has returned with a vengeance, with Environment  and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) saying people in Saskatchewan can expect a multi-day episode of very cold wind chills.

ECCC issued weather warnings for much of the province on Saturday, saying wind chill values in the -40 C range and above are expected at times over the weekend, and the cold snap is expected to continue into early next week.

The extreme cold warnings issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada on Saturday were covering most of Saskatchewan. (ECCC/Submitted)

Dan Fulton, ECCC meteorologist, said a large mass of air coming down from the Arctic will blanket most of the prairies, and even reach Ontario.

“This extreme cold is the result of a ridge of high pressure that’s actually building —the ridge is centered in the Northwest Territories — that’s kind of flooding bitterly cold Arctic air over the province,” he said.

Ironically, some typical cold weather outdoor activities have already been cancelled. Saskatoon’s Optimist Hill has sent out a notice indicating it will be closed for the rest of the weekend, and won’t reopen until Jan. 22.

Fulton says it’s always a battle in the winter between the cold air, and warmer air coming inland from the Pacific ocean, but it’s been happening a lot more frequently this winter.

“This year — for whatever reason, it might be climate change, it might be just the way the flow is — the cold Arctic air is just not as dominant as it has been in previous winters, so the cold stretches are just not as long as they used to be in past years,” he added.

As temperatures become milder on Tuesday, a low pressure system will hit the province and bring with it more snow.

By the end of next week daytime highs will be near the freezing mark once again.

What are the risks of extreme wind chill?

The weather agency says the wind chill values carry risks, and those are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

It advised that people in the province watch for cold related symptoms that include:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• muscle pain and weakness
• numbness
• colour change in fingers and toes

Anyone needing to travel is advised to carry emergency supplies in their vehicle, such as extra blankets and jumper cables.

The Canadian Red Cross recommends people should also include items like water, non-perishable food, road flare, sand, salt or kitty litter, a shovel and ice scraper, de-icer (methyl hydrate) and a phone charger.

The Saskatchewan Highway Hotline noted only two areas where travel was not recommended Saturday morning, but said travellers should check conditions throughout the day.

Travel was not recommended on Hwy 49 from Preeceville to Okla because of ice and snow drifts and on Highway 983 and Highway 980 where there was loose, packed, swirling  and drifting snow.

— with files from Lara Fominoff, 650 CKOM

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