Arctic cold has covered Canada with temperatures down to minus 50 degrees

Extreme cold is threatening residents in six provinces, and frostbite could lead to loss of limbs.

A large portion of Canada is under severe weather warnings. According to Environment Canada, yellow and orange cold and snowfall warnings are in effect across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, the northern territories, and the Atlantic provinces.

Critical temperatures in western provinces

In northeastern Alberta, wind chill values will drop to between -40 and -50 degrees. The weather agency emphasizes that extreme cold poses a danger to everyone without exception, and recommends wearing layers of clothing that can be easily adjusted as needed.

Nearly all of Saskatchewan, except for the far southwest corner, is under orange or yellow warnings. The southern and northern parts of the province are expected to experience a prolonged period of extremely low wind chill temperatures, while central areas will see readings around -45 degrees that will persist until Friday evening.

Arctic cold grips Manitoba and Ontario

Almost all of Manitoba is under an orange warning, with the only exception being the Hudson Bay coast in the northeastern part of the province near Churchill. Environment Canada forecasts that wind chill temperatures over the weekend will range from -45 to -50 degrees. Meteorologists are warning about a colder and windier air mass moving in, which will bring a sharp drop in temperature.

Northwestern Ontario has also been issued an orange warning due to an expected multi-day period of extremely low temperatures. Wind chill values are forecast to reach around -45 degrees. An Arctic air mass will settle over the region and persist through the weekend, with areas near Hudson Bay potentially seeing temperatures drop to -50 degrees.

Snowfall warnings

Yellow warnings and snow squall advisories have been issued for parts of northern and southwestern Ontario, as well as for Ottawa and some parts of Quebec, including Montreal.