By Geoff Smith - Lethbridge News Now

Southern Alberta thaws following coldest New Year’s on record

Jan 2, 2018 | 1:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE- The year 2018 is just over a day old, and has already given southern Alberta a massive swing in weather conditions.

After a second consecutive day of record cold, temperatures climbed early Monday, Jan. 2 into the minus-single-digits. By later in the week highs above zero were being forecast by Environment Canada.

The swing in temperatures follows the coldest New Year’s in recorded history in Alberta. Environment Canada said Lethbridge set a new record low for Jan. 1, -37.8 C. The previous record was -36.1, set in 1950. Records for Lethbridge date back to 1887.

Other record temperatures on New Year’s Day include -39.8 in Vauxhall, -38 in Claresholm, and -39.4 in Brooks. But temperatures began to moderate during the afternoon, and by 11 p.m. it was -9 in Lethbridge.

The coldest ever New Year’s Day followed the chilliest New Year’s Eve since records began, with Lethbridge reaching -38.5, Pincher Creek -38, Brooks -40.5 and in Claresholm, a bone-chilling -41.8.

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Much of North America was covered by the large mass of Arctic air, which put a damper on many New Year’s Eve celebrations. In Southern Alberta the long weekend also included a dumping of snow, which city snow-clearing crews were busy attacking Tuesday morning.

Extreme cold warnings were lifted later on New Year’s Day, as warmer air moved in. Lethbridge is expected to reach a high of plus 9 by Friday, with showers in the forecast for Saturday.