Environment Canada issued a number of extreme cold warnings for parts of central and southern Alberta Thursday afternoon.
On Thursday evening, more extreme cold warnings were issued in parts of northern Alberta.
The warnings come as a vicious cold snap that swept into much of Alberta Monday remains frozen in place and now appears to be intensifying in areas.
READ MORE: Calgary weather: city to see coldest temperatures in almost 2 years
According to Environment Canada, overnight low temperatures when factoring in the wind chill could reach minus 40 C by Friday morning before an expected slow rise in temperatures later Friday morning.
“A period of very cold wind chills is expected,” Environment Canada said in its warning.
READ MORE: 4 things AMA wants Alberta drivers to keep in mind during province-wide cold snap
The weather agency urged people living in areas under a warning to dress appropriately for the cold and suggested wearing synthetic and wool fabrics which it said provide better insulation. People are also urged to wear layers including a wind-resistant outer layer as well as warm socks, gloves, a toque and scarf.
Environment Canada issues extreme cold warnings when it determines there is an “elevated risk to health such as frostbite and hypothermia.”
While the warning applies to all people in affected areas, the weather agency said the following groups of people are particularly vulnerable to cold conditions: homeless people, outdoor workers, people living in homes that are poorly insulated (with no heat or no power), people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and diseases affecting the blood vessels, people taking certain medications including beta-blockers, winter sport enthusiasts, people who consume excess alcohol, infants and seniors.
Watch below: A bitterly cold wave of winter weather continues to stay put in much of Alberta, including Edmonton. In Alberta’s capital, paramedics are offering tips on how to stay warm and avoid frostbite. Kent Morrison reports.
As of 10 p.m. Thursday, the following areas were under an extreme cold warning:
- Airdrie – Cochrane – Olds – Sundre
- Fort Chipewyan – Wood Buffalo National Park
- Fort McMurray – Fort MacKay
- Kananaskis – Canmore
- Nordegg – Forestry Trunk Road Highway 734
- Red Deer – Ponoka – Innisfail – Stettler
- Rocky Mountain House – Caroline
For the latest information from Environment Canada on the extreme cold warnings, click here.
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To report severe weather to Environment Canada, you can email ec.storm.ec@canada.ca or tweet with the hashtag #ABStorm.
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