Extreme Cold, Blowing Snow Impacting Various Regions in Canada

A family braves the weather as the city wakes up to a snowstorm in Winnipeg, April 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

A mixed bag of winter weather is hitting parts of Canada today bringing extreme cold, blizzards, high winds, and heavy snowfall to several provinces.

Manitoba will be hardest hit, but parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nunavut can also expect a wintery blast, according to warnings issued by Environment Canada.

Here’s a look at what each region can expect.

Manitoba

Frigid Arctic air will move south bringing a prolonged period of “bitterly cold” temperatures to Northern Manitoba today, with wind chill values dipping to -45 Celsius, Environment Canada says.

Residents in the Brochet and Tadoule Lake areas can expect the cold weather to continue through the weekend.

Blizzard warnings are also in effect for large swaths of the province with storms forecast to hit Churchill in the north and Winnipeg in the south.

Blizzard conditions are expected in Churchill today with northerly wind gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour, Environment Canada said. Wind chill values will plummet as the day goes on, approaching -50 Celsius by late this afternoon. The blizzard is expected to end tonight.

Blizzard conditions are also expected to hit the Red River Valley this morning as a cold front descends from the north.

In the aftermath of this front, powerful northerly winds with gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour will create poor visibility conditions caused by snow and blowing snow, particularly in open countryside regions. Wind chill values are expected to hit the -30 Celsius mark by late afternoon.

“Visibility will not be quite as bad in built-up urban areas such as Winnipeg, however open areas and roadways such as the Perimeter and Trans-Canada highway will see very poor driving conditions later today,” the advisory said.

Blizzard conditions are also expected in the Interlake and east of the Manitoba Escarpment, Environment Canada said.

Diminished visibility due to blowing snow is anticipated across a significant portion of southern Manitoba. The blizzard conditions are expected to subside later this afternoon or early this evening.

A blowing snow advisory is also in effect for much of southern Manitoba with areas like Carrick in the east and Brandon in the west impacted. Conditions are expected to improve in western Manitoba this afternoon and in eastern Manitoba this evening as the winds subside.

Saskatchewan

The strong northerly winds bringing blowing snow to the southern section of Manitoba will also cause widespread poor visibility across much of southern Saskatchewan this morning, Environment Canada said.

Northerly winds gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour are expected in the regions of Estevan, Regina, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current and further west into Alberta.

Conditions are expected to improve gradually as the winds abate later in the day.

Alberta

The blowing snow hitting Manitoba and Saskatchewan will also blow into Alberta hitting Medicine Hat, Brooks, and Chestermere, but will not reach Calgary.

Northwest winds are expected to produce gusts as strong as 90 kilometres per hour, Environment Canada said. Combined with falling snow, drivers can expect poor visibility and treacherous travel. The wind is expected to abate as the day goes on.

A wind warning has also been issued by Environment Canada for a small southeastern section of the province with Cressday, Onefour, Wild Horse, Orion, Manyberries, Etzikom, Maleb, Foremost, and the surrounding regions expecting gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour throughout the morning.

“Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage,” Environment Canada said. “Motorists, especially in high profile vehicles, may expect hazardous driving conditions on highways subject to strong crosswinds.”

The gusts are expected to lessen as the morning progresses.

Northern Ontario

The weather agency has also issued snowfall warnings for Northwestern Ontario with areas north of Kenora and Thunder Bay expected to receive two to four centimetres of snow per hour.

Total accumulations of 15 to 20 centimetres are expected causing reduced visibility and hazardous travel to motorists in the area.

“Snow will continue through this morning before becoming light this afternoon,” Environment Canada said. “Strong northerly winds gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour today may result in blowing snow for some areas.”

Sioux Lookout, Nipigon, Terrace Bay, Manitouwadge, Longlac, and Fort Hope will also get a blast of wintery weather with heavy snowfall and accumulations of 10 to 15 centimetres.

The snow is expected to continue throughout the day before tapering to light flurries by evening. Strong northerly winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour tonight could cause blowing snow and poor travel conditions.

Nunavut

Environment Canada has issued weather warnings for the communities of Gjoa Haven and Sanirajak in Nunavut as Arctic air blows through the region bringing wind chill values near -55 Celsius tonight through Jan. 18. The freezing temperatures are expected to abate by Jan. 19.

“Extreme cold puts everyone at risk,” Environment Canada said. “Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.”