'Bitterly cold' temperatures prompt weather warning across Manitoba

Manitobans should brace for a bout of extremely cold weather this weekend, with most of the province under extreme cold warnings as of Friday afternoon.

Environment Canada had issued warnings for northern Manitoba early Friday morning but expanded them later in the day, saying the majority of the province will see "bitterly cold weather" into next week.

Temperatures for much of the southern Prairies, including south and central Manitoba, are set to drop to –30 C or below, Environment Canada said, with wind chill values around –40 into Saturday.

The cold weather is expected to moderate gradually from west to east, starting Sunday in western Saskatchewan and ending in eastern Manitoba on Monday.

In most of northern Manitoba, temperatures will be at or below –35 C or below from Friday through Saturday, the weather agency said.

The extreme cold is expected to continue for Brochet and Tadoule Lake into early next week, but temperatures in the region's more southern areas are forecast to rise starting Monday.

Manitobans should dress in warm layers that can be removed if they get too warm, and an outer layer that's wind resistant, the weather agency says. People should also cover up exposed skin, as frostbite can develop within minutes, especially with wind chill.

Keep an eye out for colour changes to fingers and toes, as well as pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, and swelling, Environment Canada says. Anyone who notices these changes should go indoors and warm up.

People who work outdoors during the warning are also advised to take regular scheduled breaks to warm up.

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