Extreme wind chill values of minus 40 to minus 45 (-40.0F to -49.0F) – Cold warning also for British Columbia and Quebec
SASKATCHEWAN
3:11 PM CST Sunday 28 December 2014
Extreme Cold Warning in effect for:
Carlyle – Oxbow – Carnduff – Bienfait – Stoughton, City of Regina, City of Saskatoon, Estevan – Weyburn – Radville – Milestone, Fort Qu’Appelle – Indian Head – Lumsden – Pilot Butte, Hudson Bay – Porcupine Plain, Humboldt – Wynyard – Wadena – Lanigan – Foam Lake, Kamsack – Canora – Preeceville, Martensville – Warman – Rosthern – Delisle – Wakaw, Melfort – Tisdale – Nipawin – Carrot River, Moosomin – Grenfell – Kipling – Wawota, Outlook – Watrous – Hanley – Imperial – Dinsmore, Prince Albert – Shellbrook – Spiritwood – Duck Lake and Yorkton – Melville – Esterhazy regions
A period of very cold wind chills is expected.
A ridge of high pressure building southward into the Prairies from the Arctic is ushering in a frigid air mass. Temperatures tonight are expected to drop below minus 30 (-22.0F) in most areas and combined with wind speeds of 15 to 20 km/h (9.3 to 12.4 mph), extreme wind chill values of minus 40 to minus 45 (-40.0F to -49.0F) are likely overnight and Monday morning. Although some moderation is expected during the daytime on Monday, extreme wind chill values are also expected Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Extreme Cold Warning in effect for:
Cree Lake – Key Lake and Pelican Narrows – Cumberland House – Creighton regions
A prolonged period of very cold wind chills is expected.
Frigid arctic air remains over northern Saskatchewan. Wind chill values of minus 45 (-49.0F) are forecast for the Key Lake area tonight and for the Pelican Narrows region early Monday morning. At these extreme wind chill values frostbite on exposed skin may occur in less than 5 minutes. More moderate temperatures will move into northern Saskatchewan on Monday morning and bring an end to the extreme wind chills.
The message that goes along with most of those warnings are:
While anyone who isn’t dressed warmly is at risk in cold weather conditions, some are at greater risk than others for frost bite and hypothermia:
– homeless people
– outdoor workers
– people living in homes that are poorly insulated (with no heat or no power)
– people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and diseases affecting the blood vessels, people taking certain medications including beta-blockers
– winter sport enthusiasts
– people who consume excess alcohol
– infants and seniors.
Wear appropriate clothing.
– Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.
– Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
– Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
– If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you’re wet.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.
As well, there’s an extreme cold warning for the Yoho Park – Kootenay Park regions of British Columbia, with temperatures below -20C (-4.0F) giving windchills below -35C (-31.0F). In addition, Arctic outflow warnings for the Central Coast – inland sections and North Coast – inland sections with winchills below -20C (-4.0F).
In the Waskaganish region of Quebec, an extreme cold warning is in effect with cold temperatures and winds of 20 to 40 km/h (12.4 to 24.9 mph) giving wind chills of -38C (-36.4F).
A blizzard warning for the Paulatuk region of the Northwest Territories, with winds of up to 80 to 100 km/h (49.7 to 62.1 mph).
Blizzard warnings for the Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Clyde River, Gjoa Haven, Hall Beach, Rankin Region including Whale Cove and Repulse Bay regions of Nunavut, with winds from 50 to 70 km/h (31.1 to 43.5 mph).
The message that goes with these blizzard warnings is:
Travel is not recommended. If you do travel and become lost, remain where you are until the blizzard has passed. Avoid outdoor activities. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/
Blizzard Warnings are issued when widespread reduced visibilities of 400 metres or less are expected for at least 4 hours.