Extreme Cold Warnings in effect for all of Alberta

ALBERTA – Extreme Cold Warnings cover the entire province today, Dec. 31, with Environment Canada stating that a prolonged period of very cold wind chills are expected.

In Lethbridge, Sunday’s forecast calls for winds up to 15 km/h with a high of minus 21 and extreme wind chill of minus 40. As of 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Environment Canada reported a temperature of minus 37 – breaking a previous record of minus 36.4 set on Dec. 31, 1992 – with a wind chill was minus 50.

They note that frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin – especially with the wind chill – adding that you should watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes. Hypothermia is also a risk with current temperatures.

Environment Canada suggests that outdoor workers take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.