An extreme cold warning is in place Friday for parts of Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon.
Environment Canada says an Arctic ridge of high pressure is allowing a very cold air mass from the north to sink over central and southern parts of the province.
Extreme wind chill values of -40 or colder are expected during the morning.
“The wind chill doesn’t change the value of the temperature. It doesn’t make it colder, it just makes it feel like it’s colder because any little bit of wind will quickly carry any heat away from your body,” explained Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Values are expected to ease slightly during the day before another round of more expansive cold settles in Friday night.
Lang said the temperature could hit -40 C without the wind chill by Monday.
“It does look like Monday will probably be the coldest day, probably the coldest day so far this winter,” she told Global News.
Temperatures should slowly return to seasonable later next week, Lang added.
Frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes at these values.
Anyone heading outside should dress warmly and in layers and ensure the outer layer is wind resistant.
People working outside should take regular breaks to warm up.
Cold-related symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour changes in fingers and toes.
Emergency supplies, such as extra blankets and jumper cables, should be kept in vehicles.
Download the SkyTracker weather app for the latest conditions and warnings.
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