(Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

By Adrian St.Onge

Medicine Hat bracing for polar vortex as police rolls out anti-theft ‘cold start’ operation

Jan 9, 2024 | 5:26 PM

Temperatures in Medicine Hat are slated to plummet to nearly minus 30 degrees Celsius on Thursday after a record-setting warm December.

The cold spell is expected to last until early next week.

Alysa Pederson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, said that a polar vortex exists year round, but it will be high pressure from the Arctic ridge that’s set to hit the city.

The Medicine Hat Police Service is rolling out operation “Cold Start”, with hopes that it slows the rising number of vehicle thefts.

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Vehicles are often stolen when owners start their vehicles and leave them unattended while they warm up.

The the police department is suffering a manpower shortage, Sgt. Stacey Fishley says that leaving the programs brochures has had an impact.

“In the province, the statistics have shows that there is a significant issue involved with the theft of motor vehicles,” Sgt. Fishley explained.

“But I think that the statistics have also come down a bit in the last little bit, so hopefully this is parts of the statistics coming down.”

Willy Langille, the owner and an operator of Willy’s Towing, recommends to avoiding driving whenever possible until the conditions improve.

While driving isn’t feasible for everyone, steps can be taken to avoid accidents, including cleaning your windows properly and driving defensively.

“Wait times can be as long as 24 to 48 hours during the busier times,” Langville said.

“Be very careful on the highways because overpasses and bridges are always slippery.”

Airports, however, shouldn’t experience delays according to Terri Super from Super T Aviation. While smaller planes are grounded in minus 20 degree Celsius temperatures, larger aircraft are rarely grounded due to cold weather.

Super said that visibility and low cloud ceilings should always be considered, but that the bigger issue is keeping the inside of the plane warm, where potable water is stored.

Pederson notes that preparation is key.

“You want to make sure, if you can, to cancel plans for being outside,” he said.

“You don’t want to be outside when it’s this cold. If you have to be outside, wear lots of layers, preferably with the outer layer being a wind barrier to keep in the warmth.”

Environment Canada anticipates that the prairies could drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius with the windchill.