The cold weather is expected to last until Wednesday. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

cold temperatures

Extreme cold warning issued for northern Saskatchewan

Dec 9, 2019 | 12:32 PM

Parts of northern Saskatchewan are under an extreme cold warning.

Environment Canada issued the warning this morning as wind chill values are expected to reach the -45 C to -50 C range overnight. Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frostbite and hypothermia.

“That means dangerous conditions and it does look like it’s going to continue at least mid-week, if not a little bit longer,” Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang said. “It does look like the cold air is really going to remain over northern Saskatchewan. That arctic air is just anchored right over top, so the cold temperatures will continue and, with a little bit of wind, we’re getting into the extreme wind chill range.”

As of this morning, La Ronge wasn’t under an extreme cold warning but the temperature is expected to reach -30 C overnight.

Lang urges northerners to take precautions if they are working or need to spend a period of time outdoors. She recommends dressing in layers with extremities covered and having an emergency kit in your vehicle. People should also check the highway hotline before heading out.

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“[Frostbite] can occur very quickly in these types of conditions, less than 15 minutes,” Lang said. “It looks like the ridge will start to move off later in the week and we’ll be getting towards more seasonal values. The 30-year average for this time of year is around -12 C and overnight lows close to -22 C.”

Tomorrow in La Ronge the temperature is forecasted to reach a high of -26 C with a low of -33 C overnight. Wednesday will bring a high of -24 C and a low of -30 C, while Thursday will have a high of -23 C and a low of -27 C.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno