Extreme Cold Hits Alberta, Regions in BC, Saskatchewan, and Yukon

A person wearing a parka sits on the harbour in Vancouver, on Dec. 23, 2021. Environment Canada issued warnings of extreme cold and arctic outflow across British Columbia after Boxing Day. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Albertans across the entire province should brace themselves for extreme cold, while residents in some regions of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon should prepare for similarly cold weather, Environment Canada warns.

The federal agency’s latest public weather alerts on Monday morning warned of extreme cold early in the day, with the coldest values between -40 C  and -55 C.

Some areas in northern Alberta will likely experience a prolonged period of extreme cold conditions, which could last into next weekend.

Environment Canada issues extreme cold warnings when very cold temperatures or wind chill factors create “an elevated risk to health,” such as frostbite and hypothermia.

“Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill,” the federal agency said, adding that “if it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.”

Extreme cold is expected in many parts of B.C., including 100 Mile House, Peace River, Bulkley Valley and Lakes District, Cariboo, Chilcotin, Elk Valley, Fort Nelson, Kinbasket, McGregor, Muncho Lake Park-Stone Mountain Park, North Columbia, North Thompson, Prince George, South Thompson, Stuart-Nechako, Watson Lake, Williston, Yellowhead, and Yoho Park-Kootenay Park.

In northern B.C., extreme wind chill values of -50 C are expected, while in central B.C. the wind chill will be at least -40 in the morning, while a slightly warmer air mass will arrive later in the day.

Arctic outflow winds and low temperatures will combine to form wind chill values around -20 C or lower in some parts of B.C., including coastal and inland sections of Central Coast, East Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, Greater Victoria, Howe Sound, Metro Vancouver, coastal and inland sections of North Coast, Southern Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, and Whistler.

“An Arctic ridge of high pressure over the B.C. Interior is bringing strong and bitterly cold outflow winds to the coastal communities,” Environment Canada said.

Mainland inlets and areas that are exposed to Arctic outflow winds are more likely to experience these low wind chill values.

The outflow and temperatures will somewhat moderate on Monday afternoon, but wind chill values are still expected to be between -10 and -20 C.

Stronger outflow and lower overnight temperatures are forecast for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, bringing wind chill values to near -20 C again.

“Be prepared for unusually cold temperatures and strong winds,” the federal agency warns.

“Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight.”

Extreme cold will also hit all areas of Saskatchewan, with wind chill values between -40 and -45 C.

“Extreme wind chills will persist or return tonight throughout southern Saskatchewan. Temperatures will dip into the minus forties and there will be widespread wind chills in the minus forties or even minus fifties overnight and Tuesday morning,” the weather alert said.

Extreme cold is also expected in Watson Lake, Yukon, with the coldest wind chill values expected to be near -45.

Environment Canada also warned of blizzard conditions hitting Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk-East Channel Region in the Northern Territories, with strong winds gusting up to 90 km/hr.