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Wind chills remain below -40 C

Cold snap drags on in region and country

Feb 10, 2021 | 10:05 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – If you’ve stepped outside you already know this (and can probably tell just by looking outside), but the cold snap continues in southeast Alberta and much of the country.

Environment Canada is forecasting wind chill values between -40 C and -55 C are forecast for Wednesday in its Medicine Hat-Bow Island-Suffield region and conditions aren’t expected to be much better the rest of the week.

But temperatures could rise to close to -20 C by Saturday. Wednesday’s high is only forecast at -26 C.

Environment Canada says the prolonged cold snap is expected to persist into the weekend for many areas of Alberta. There will be some moderation in temperature at times, typically during daylight hours.

People are told to watch for cold-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes and are reminded that frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with the wind chill.

In the warning, Environment Canada reminds people that if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets to be outside.

Extreme cold warnings are in effect from the B.C. coast all the way to Quebec.