It seems unusual to have hail pound the windows of your home in late February, but that’s exactly what Calgarians experienced on Monday evening.

Early risers across Alberta were treated to a spectacle of light on Monday morning, as a bright, colourful streak lit up the dark sky.

After extremely cold wind chill values between -40 and -45, Environment Canada forecasts the "prolonged cold snap" will end by Monday.

A total of 53 records have been broken in Alberta since the cold outbreak began, the national weather agency said.

Environment Canada says 15 new record lows were set in Alberta on Monday due to an 'unseasonably cold' arctic ridge of high pressure.

Extreme cold warnings continue across Alberta. While most are trying to stay inside and avoid the elements, others have to brave the cold as part of their job.

"It's not cold weather that makes the northern lights happen. It's basically the sun, which is the energy source that makes this northern light activity actually happen."

In Fort McMurray, Sunday morning's wind chill made it feel like -52.

A ridge of high pressure will drag an Arctic air mass south from the Northwest Territories into Alberta by Monday morning, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

A snowfall warning for Calgary issued by Environment Canada on Tuesday has now ended.