Extreme cold warning returns to most of Manitoba 

Another frigid February day is expected in the province. 

An extreme cold warning has been issued for southern and central Manitoba — including the City of Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Gimli, Steinbach, Swan River, Virden, Melita, Beausejour, Dauphin, Brandon — as a period of very cold windchills. Northern Manitoba, too, is under an extreme cold with warnings issued in Tadoule Lake, Brochet, Lynn Lake,Leaf Rapids andPukatawagan.

“We actually have a ridge of high pressure that is making its way through the province,” says Environment Canada’s James Colangelo. “Bringing some very, very cold temperatures to southern Manitoba.” 

Temperatures into the minus 30s are expected Thursday morning with windchill dipping below the minus 40 mark. 

“As that high moves off, you’ll start to see temperatures moderate throughout the morning,” says Colangelo, who notes that a system moving in from the west will also increase temperatures. “It will just be a one day thing for now.” 

Environment Canada reminds Manitobans to dress warmly in layers and to cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

More seasonal temperatures are expected to begin the weekend. 

“Saturday there will be a system that moves through from Alberta down to the southeast, clipping southern Manitoba,” says Colangelo. “That will bring some warm air with it from the west.” 

Temperatures approaching the freezing mark are expected in the southwest corner of the province, with a high of minus 9 in the City of Winnipeg.