Much of Western Canada is dealing with bone chilling cold and high windchill values right now. Environment Canada forecasts winchills down to -50 over the weekend and into Monday.

However, one thing in our favour for those who aren’t enjoying the bitter cold, is that it won’t last as long as usual. Environment Canada Meteorologist Natalie Hasell says compared to past extreme cold spells, the Arctic air isn’t settling in. “We’re not looking at a hugely extended period of extremely cold conditions. A few years ago, I think we had a January of -30, or at least windchills at -40, for days on end, like three weeks or something.” This time, it shouldn’t last that long. Hasell advises people to take all necessary precautions as the cold continues. (DiscoverEstevan.com)

Extreme Cold Warning from Environment Canada below:

Coldest wind chills: -50 to -40.

Time span: Friday morning through to Monday morning.

Remarks: An arctic air mass continues to bring very cold temperatures to the region. Although temperatures may moderate slightly during the day, overnight lows near or below -30°C will occur in parts of the region over the coming nights. Combined with winds of 15 to 30 km/h, this will result in wind chill values ranging from -50 to -40 at times over the coming days.

Extreme cold puts everyone at risk.

Cover up. 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.