Too cold for school: -44 C weather shuts down classes in Labrador
The youngest students in several Labrador communities were told to stay home from school on Wednesday, as the region coped with a deep plunge in temperatures.
The temperature was -44 C in Labrador City and Wabush, and Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for the region.
The frigid temperatures even prompted Canada Post to suspend some its services in Labrador West.
CBC Reporter Bailey White said, in weather like this, there are some things that people must do.
"People have to bundle up, you've got to keep your water running so your pipes don't freeze, you've got to keep your car plugged in, and warm it up long in advance of going anywhere," said White.
"Even the airlines are warming up their aircraft long before they have to go. And of course it involves staying inside whenever possible."
Primary classes were cancelled Wednesday in western Labrador, with classes for young children in other communities cancelled for at least the morning.
The closures stretched clear across Labrador, and included communities on the northern coast.
In Happy Valley-Goose Bay, K-3 classes at Peacock Primary School and École Boréal were cancelled for the day.
The K-3 classes in North West River and Nain were also cancelled for the day.
The freezing temperatures are expected to last throughout the rest of the week.
Environment Canada is advising that there is an elevated risk of frostbite and hypothermia as a result of the cold weather.