WINNIPEG – The southern half of Manitoba is under an extreme cold warning as temperatures dropped below -30 C overnight.
An unusually warm December turned in its last week with temperatures close to 10 C below normal across southern Manitoba, including Winnipeg and Brandon.
RELATED: Winter weather finally hits Winnipeg
A ridge of high pressure brought an Arctic air mass over the Prairies, bringing extreme wind chills of -40 to -45 in many areas early Monday.
While conditions are expected to improve during the day, the extreme wind chills are expected to return overnight.
The following communities are affected by the extreme cold warning:
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- Winnipeg
- Brandon, Carberry, Treherne
- Portage la Prairie, Headingley, Brunkild, Carman
- Morden, Winkler, Altona, Emerson, Morris
- Selkirk, Gimli, Stonewall, Woodlands, Eriksdale
- Steinbach, St. Adolphe, Dominion City, Vita, Richer
- Virden, Souris;
- Whiteshell, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa;
- Minnedosa, Neepawa, Russell, Riding Mountain National Park;
- Dugald, Beausejour, Grand Beach;
- Dauphin, Roblin, Winnipegosis;
- Melita, Boissevain, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park;
- Swan River, Duck Mountain, Porcupine Provincial Forest;
- Sprague, Northwest Angle Provincial Forest;
- Killarney, Pilot Mound, Manitou;
- Ste. Rose, McCreary, Alonsa, Gladstone;
- Poplar River;
- Grand Rapids;
- Bissett, Nopiming Provincial Park, Pine Falls;
- Arborg, Hecla, Fisher River, Gypsumville, Ashern;
- Berens River, Little Grand Rapids, Bloodvein, Atikaki; and
- Kenora and Nestor Falls, Ont.
The extreme cold warning for The Pas, Wanless, Westray and Clearwater Lake Provincial Park ended shortly after 9 a.m.
Northern Manitoba is also experiencing cold temperatures, but because colder weather is normal in the region at this time of year, no warnings are in effect.
The cold prompted Stony Mountain Ski Area to close its facilities on Monday and Tuesday, and Adrenaline Adventures to close its park Monday.
Environment Canada advises people to dress appropriately for the weather. Advice from the weather agency includes:
- synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation;
- dressing in layers, with a wind-resistant outer layer, allows people to remove layers if they get too warm;
- warm socks, gloves, a hat and a scarf should be warn, and a the nose should be covered to protect it; and
- if you get wet, change into dry clothes as soon as possible.
Certain people are more susceptible to the cold, including infants, older people, people with certain medical conditions and those who consume excess alcohol.
The forecast for Winnipeg for Monday is for a high of -22 C, but with winds becoming northwest at 20 kilometres per hour near noon, the wind chill will make it feel like -43.
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