It’s been pretty chilly for the last few weeks, but for many parts of Southern Manitoba Thursday night into Friday morning may end up being the coldest night of the winter so far. Extreme Cold Warnings are in effect across much of the province ahead of what’s expected to be a bitterly cold night.

 

“After a slight reprieve Monday and Tuesday from the very cold conditions of late, it’s back into the freezer today and Friday,” explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. “A ridge of arctic high pressure has been digging into the Prairies over the last couple days, and it’s finally arrived in Manitoba today. Along with that ridge, brutally cold Arctic air is sliding into the region tonight, and Thursday night/Friday morning is looking like it will be the coldest of the season so far.”

 

Overnight lows are forecast to reach the -37 to -39 range.

 

“Even a breath of wind will see windchill values pushed well into the -40s or -50s,” he noted.

 

Environment Canada is forecasting windchill values of -48 to -53 overnight and Friday morning, with a light breeze of just 15 km/h. Exposed skin will freeze in just a few minutes at those levels.

 

According to Environment Canada data, these are the coldest nights so far this season for the respective weather stations. All readings in degrees Celsius:

Carman -37.4 on January 1st

Sprague -37.2 on December 31st

Gretna -37.1 on January 1st

Emerson -36.2 on December 31st

Winnipeg (at the airport) -35.6 on January 1st

Pilot Mound -35.5 on December 29th

Melita -35.4 on December 31st

Morden -31.0 on January 2nd

 

“There is good news on the horizon for those looking for a break from this latest cold snap,” said Sumner. “A pattern shift is looking very likely next week, based on the long range forecast models, and that will see much warmer Pacific air flow over the Rockies and roll across the Prairies. A return to not only seasonal temperatures, but above average daytime highs, should happen in the Tuesday or Wednesday range next week.”

 

Meanwhile, Sumner noted a fast moving low pressure system will travel along the international border Friday night into Saturday, and is expected to bring up to 5cms of snow to the region. Ahead of the snow developing late Friday afternoon/early evening, strong southerly winds gusting to 50km/h will develop earlier in the day and last throughout the night into Saturday morning.

 

“Those blustery conditions will last throughout much of Saturday, but with the wind shifting westerly, but still gusting between 50 and 60km/h,” he added. “With that in mind, we can expect blowing snow and reduced visibility to be a concern from Friday night through Saturday morning.”