By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Bitter cold prompts advisory from Environment Canada

Dec 8, 2016 | 5:20 AM

UPDATE: As of 11 a.m. Thursday the extreme cold warnings have ended.

The bitterly cold weather has prompted an Extreme Cold Warning from Environment Canada, which as of 7:30 a.m. includes Lethbridge, Taber, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, Cardston, Waterton Lakes, Crowsnest Pass, and surrounding areas.

Cold overnight temperatures and a light wind from the west were combining Thursday morning to push the wind chill to -40. Temperatures were expected to climb out of the danger zone later in the morning.

“The cold Arctic air has come down out of the north, and right now it’s essentially piling up along the southern foothills of Alberta,” Environment Canada meteorologist Stephen Vallee said. “And that’s where we’re seeing just enough wind to create windchills of -40.

“When the windchill gets that cold frostbite is at very high risk. Exposed skin can freeze within five to ten minutes. And if you’re outside long enough there’s actually a risk of hypothermia as well.”

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People are urged to dress for the conditions, with wool or synthetic fabrics, using layers including an outer layer that blocks the wind, and to cover exposed skin with hats, gloves, and scarves.

While the warning was expected to be lifted later Thursday morning, unusually cold air was expected to remain well into next week.

“Not until probably closer towards Christmas will we see temperatures up above -20,” Valley said. “So, around December 20, maybe.”

by Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Bitter cold prompts advisory from Environment Canada

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