Extreme cold warnings in the north as mild weather heads for the south

People in northern Manitoba are bracing for wind chill values around -50 Thursday.

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for several areas across northern Manitoba.

Daytime highs for communities like Gillam and Thompson aren't expected to rise above -30 throughout the day. Combined with wind, the windchill can be anywhere between -45 and -50 at times, Environment Canada says. That means frostbite could occur in just minutes.

The forecaster says that conditions will moderate somewhat during the afternoon as temperatures warm a bit, but wind chills will still be close to -40.

Extreme cold conditions are expected to return Thursday night and into Friday morning.

Meanwhile, in the south many areas will see temperatures climb above -10, and snow is likely to continue for many communities.

Winnipeg will see snow ending in the morning, with a mainly cloudy sky the rest of the day.

A high of -8 is expected, however a wind from the southeast at 20 km/h will mean a wind chill near -18.

Temperatures will hold steady around -8 throughout the evening and then rise to -5 by the morning.

There is a 60 per cent chance of light snow early in the morning on Christmas Eve before clearing in the afternoon. Wind will pick up in the afternoon, gusting at times from the west between 50 and 70 km/h.

A daytime high of -4 will come to an abrupt end as temperatures are expected to drop to -13 in the afternoon and a wind chill of -23.