New cold temperature records were set in numerous Alberta communities this week. (Photo: Marianvejcik | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Cold records set in 30 Alberta communities, one hit -48.2

Dec 20, 2022 | 4:11 PM

HENDRICKSON CREEK, AB – Environment Canada is reporting new low temperature records in several communities across Alberta this week.

They say an Arctic airmass continues to bring extremely cold temperatures to the province, leading to many daily minimum temperature records being broken in the evening and morning hours.

The temperatures listed below do not include wind chill.

Of the new records, the Hendrickson Creek area in central-eastern Alberta got the coldest on the morning of Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at -48.2 Celsius, breaking the previous record of -39.3 set in 2008.

The following areas set new daily minimum temperature records on the evening of Monday, December 19, 2022:

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• Banff Area
  • New record of -38.9
  • Old record of -35.6 set in 1921
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1887
• Bow Island Area
  • New record of -33.6
  • Old record of -31.7 set in 1961
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1961
• Bow Valley (Provincial Park) Area
  • New record of -40.5
  • Old record of -36.3 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1928
• Claresholm Area
  • New record of -35.8
  • Old record of -32.0 set in 1983
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1951
• Hendrickson Creek Area
  • New record of -45.4
  • Old record of -41.1 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1995
• High River Area
  • New record of -34.8
  • Old record of -33.9 set in 1921
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1913
• Jasper Area
  • New record of -40.7
  • Old record of -38.9 set in 1921
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1916
• Milk River Area
  • New record of -31.8
  • Old record of -26.1 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1994
• Pincher Creek Area
  • New record of -31.7
  • Old record of -29.5 set in 1983
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1893
• Sundre Area
  • New record of -39.6
  • Old record of -36.7 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1993

The following areas set new daily minimum temperature records on the morning of Tuesday, December 20, 2022:

• Red Deer Area
  • New record of -38.7
  • Old record of -36.8 set in 1990
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1904
• Peace River Area
  • New record of -41.0
  • Old record of -40.0 set in 1970
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1907
• Onefour Area
  • New record of -34.3
  • Old record of -33.3 set in 1951
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1928
• Breton Area
  • New record of -39.6
  • Old record of -37.0 set in 1990
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1939
• Rocky Mountain House Area
  • New record of -41.8
  • Old record of -41.1 set in 1921
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1915
• Cochrane Area
  • New record of -37.8
  • Old record of -35.3 set in 1990
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1984
• Milk River Area
  • New record of -33.1
  • Old record of -32.8 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1994
• Banff Area
  • New record of -41.5
  • Old record of -40.6 set in 1921
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1887
• Bow Valley (Provincial Park) Area
  • New record of -42.8
  • Old record of -34.4 set in 1998
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1928
• Bow Island Area
  • New record of -34.4
  • Old record of -34.2 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1961
• Lacombe Area
  • New record of -38.6
  • Old record of -38.5 set in 1990
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1907
• High River Area
  • New record of -35.0
  • Old record of -33.9 set in 1921
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1913
• Sundre Area
  • New record of -43.0
  • Old record of -39.0 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1993
• Hendrickson Creek Area
  • Preliminary new record of -48.2
  • Old record of -39.3 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1995
• Beaverlodge Area
  • New record of -39.3
  • Old record of -39.0 set in 1990
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1912
• Drumheller Area
  • New record of -39.6
  • Old record of -36.0 set in 1989
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1923
• Highvale Area
  • New record of -36.6
  • Old record of -31.4 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1977
• Three Hills Area
  • New record of -37.1
  • Old record of -36.1 set in 1921
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1921
• Cardston Area
  • New record of -35.8
  • Old record of -35.1 set in 2008
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1918
• Jasper Area
  • New record of -43.2
  • Old record of -39.5 set in 1990
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1916

As of this publication, the entire province remains under an extreme cold warning from Environment Canada. The warning for the Lethbridge-Taber-Milk River area states that wind chill values of -40 or below will continue this week with a warming trend expected by the weekend.

Environment Canada says extreme cold puts everyone at risk.

“Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter. Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes,” says Environment Canada.

The agency adds that, if it is too cold for you to stay outside, it is too cold for your pets to stay outside.

Public weather alerts for Alberta can be found on the Environment Canada website.

Extreme cold emergency supports in Lethbridge are listed in the image below:

Services provided in Lethbridge under the Extreme Temperature Response Plan. (Image: City of Lethbridge)

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge looking for facilities to keep people warm during winter