Extreme cold warning continues for Calgary due to frigid winter weather

Calgarians growing tired of the current cold spell will have to wait until the end of the week before they’ll get a reprieve.

On Monday, Environment Canada expanded an extreme cold warning issued for much of Alberta to also include Calgary.

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health, such as frostbite and hypothermia.

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When wind chill is added to the mix, the temperatures can reach between -40 and -55 C, Environment Canada cautioned.

“Watch for cold-related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes,” environment Canada warned. “Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.”

Weather will improve slightly heading into the long weekend but the forecast calls for highs to still be below the seasonal average.

Cold weather is being blamed for the closure of WinSport’s ski and snowboard hill in Calgary, Sunshine Village in Banff and Nakiska in Kananaskis on Monday and Tuesday.

With the frigid temperatures expected to last through much of the week, WinSport extended its closure through to Wednesday. The hill said it would make a decision Tuesday about whether lifts would be running again on Thursday.

When it comes to cold weather, the Calgary Humane Society is warning pet owners to take special precautions for their dogs

Spokesperson Brad Nichols said it’s best to keep walks short or not walk your dogs at all.

“If you are going to take those short walks make sure you’re using some booties on their feet — perhaps a jacket — and keep an eye on your animal to make sure that they’re comfortable.”

If your cat or dog is feeling too cold you’ll be able to tell from their behaviour.

“You’ll see some paw lifting, usually, with dogs that are cold,” Nichols said. “Honestly, if you’re cold – probably your animal is cold as well.”

4:03 How to protect your pet during the extreme cold

Road clearing update from the City of Calgary

On Tuesday morning, the City of Calgary issued an update on their website saying crews are working on high-volume Priority One roads like Crowchild Trail and Glenmore Trail as part of their seven-day snow and ice-clearing policy.

Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail are maintained by the provincial government.

At this time, a snow route parking ban is not in effect.

School closures Tuesday due to cold weather

On Tuesday, several schools outside of Calgary announced they would be closed due to the cold, including:

• Rocky View Schools: Beiseker Colony School, Beiseker Community School, Chestermere High School, Fairview Colony, Indus School, Kathryn School, Langdon School, Prince of Peace Lutheran School, Sarah Thompson School, Tschetter Colony School, Westbrook School.
• Chinook’s Edge (school division no. 73) schools
• Schools in Foothills School District will be open but buses are cancelled.
• Rural buses cancelled for Crossfield schools
• The following Francophone Schools are open but buses are cancelled: École le Ruisseau in Brooks. École Les Cyprès in Medicine Hat and École Beausoleil in Airdrie.
• In Cochrane, The Learning Place Preschool and Footsteps Preschool are both closed.