Bitterly cold temperatures expected for western Manitoba with wind chills close to –40
Environment Canada issues extreme cold warning for much of western Manitoba, including Brandon, Dauphin
An extreme cold warning is in place for southwestern Manitoba, with an Arctic ridge bringing frigid temperatures to the southern Prairies overnight Friday and into early Saturday morning, Environment Canada says.
Air temperatures will dip to –30 C, but when combined with winds of 15 km/h, wind chills will make it feel like nearly –40 C in parts of western Manitoba, the weather agency says.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve Saturday morning.
The warnings extend from the U.S. border as far north as the northern edge of Lake Winnipegosis, and from the Saskatchewan border as far east as the Dauphin, Neepawa and Manitou areas.
The areas under the extreme cold warning are:
- The cities of Brandon and Dauphin.
- Virden and Souris.
- Neepawa, Carberry, Treherne.
- Melita, Boissevain.
- Killarney, Pilot Mound, Manitou.
- Russell, Roblin, Winnipegosis.
- Minnedosa.
- Swan River, Duck Mountain.
- Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
- Riding Mountain National Park.
- Porcupine Provincial Forest.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill create an elevated health risk, such as frostbite or hypothermia.
Environment Canada urges people to keep dry and cover up, as frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with the wind chill.
Outside workers should take regular breaks to warm up, the agency says.