A number of areas are under an extreme cold warning thanks to extreme wind chills ranging from -40 to -45 Wednesday morning.

Environment Canada says, however, that relief is on the way. "The arrival of a warmer air mass over the coming days will bring a reprieve from the extreme cold threat," the forecaster says.

Extreme cold warnings were issued for much of northern Manitoba on Tuesday, and warnings were later issued for areas further south including much of the Interlake.

Environment Canada reminds residents that risks associated with extreme cold are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.

Wednesday forecast - temperatures will rise and continue to rise

That warm air mass will also bring more cloud cover on Wednesday.

Winnipeg will experience a chilly morning with temperatures around -20 with a wind chill around -23 in downtown, while the airport will be around -22 with a wind chill around -27.

By late morning the temperature will begin to rise and it will continue rising overnight. A daytime high of -11 is expected for Wednesday afternoon. Wind gusts of up to 50 km/h could have it feeling like -22 with the wind chill, however.

Periods of snow are also expected throughout the afternoon and evening.

Temperatures are expected to rise to -6 by Thursday morning. Winds will continue to howl with gusts up to 60 km/h at times causing a wind chill of -22 in the evening. The wind is expected to slow to 20 km/h overnight, leaving a wind chill of -13.

Milder temperatures will remain the rest of the week, and Sunday could kick off our new week with a high above zero degrees.

Current warnings

Areas in red are under an extreme cold warning. This map is automatically updated by Environment Canada. Refresh the page to see the latest details.