After a day marked by blizzard warnings and blowing snow advisories, much of southern Manitoba is now bracing for extreme cold.
Environment Canada issued a yellow-level cold warning Friday afternoon for Winnipeg and large parts of southern, central, and eastern Manitoba. Most blizzard warnings and blowing snow advisories have ended, but forecasters say bitterly cold air sweeping south across the eastern Prairies will bring dangerous wind chills overnight.
The coldest wind chill values are expected to range between -40 and -45 overnight into early Saturday morning.
The warning covers Winnipeg, the Interlake, the Red River Valley, parts of the Parkland region, and areas along the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg, including several northern communities.
- Find the latest weather details on the Jani-King Weather Page
Environment Canada says forecast confidence is high and the overall impact level is considered moderate. The wind chill is expected to moderate late Saturday morning.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk, the national weather agency warns. However, risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, those working or exercising outdoors, and anyone without proper shelter.
Officials are urging residents to watch for cold-related symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, and numbness or colour changes in fingers and toes.
Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially when combined with strong winds. Residents are advised to dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and check on older family members, friends, and neighbours.
Environment Canada also reminds pet owners that if it is too cold for you to stay outside, it is too cold for your pet to stay outside.
