Coming off the warmest December on record, Edmontonians will be forgiven for being shocked by an extreme cold snap in mid-January.
An extreme cold warning was issued for the entire province of Alberta.
Some spots feel like -50 C with the wind chill
The extreme cold in Western Canada has sent temperatures plummeting across the region, with Edmonton forecast to record its coldest day in more than 50 years.
Environment Canada says temperatures in Edmonton dropped to -37 C Friday morning and may hit -40 C overnight for the first time within city limits since January 1972.
The last time Edmonton reached -34 C was in 2020, she said. The last time temperatures plummeted below -40 C was in 1972.
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In Calgary, temperatures as low as -36 C have resulted in flight delays and cancellations, as well as knocking out the city’s light rail transit in the downtown core.
The blast of winter also struck Metro Vancouver, with three centimeters of snow causing havoc on icy roads on Thursday before temperatures dropped to -13 C Friday morning with a wind chill of -24 C.
A winter storm hit Ottawa and the surrounding areas Friday night, covering the nation’s capital with 20 centimeters of heavy snow and knocking out power for hundreds of customers.
Environment Canada issued winter storm warnings Friday for almost the entire region except for communities along the water west of Brockville, Ont.
While extreme cold puts everyone at risk, Environment Canada says the risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
