2-3 hour wait for boosts from CAA as extreme cold hits Saskatchewan, An extreme cold warning is now covering all of Saskatchewan.
These extreme temperatures are due to an arctic air mass hovering over the province and producing extreme wind chill values of -40 to -46.
According to Environment Canada, these extreme wind chill values will improve slightly throughout the day. However, tonight the wind chill values are expected to dip dangerously low. Some areas in the southern portion of the province will see values as low as -50. That area starts around Saskatoon and extends all the way to the southern border.
Seasonal temperatures for this time of year for Regina are usually -11 for a daytime high and -23 overnight lows. For Wednesday, the city’s daytime high is expected to reach -27 and dipping down to -35 overnight. The intense cold is a result of a cross-polar flow. Air is that is usually over Siberia is currently being pushed into western Canada and causing this extreme cool down.
The long-range forecast for the province is showing this below seasonal temperature will stick around until at least Monday when a break is going to bring a significant warm-up.
Some schools are cancelling bus services this Wednesday due to the cold. The Regina Catholic School Division has cancelled its paratransit buses and the Saskatoon Catholic School Division and Saskatoon Public School buses are cancelled today.
CAA Saskatchewan says all major areas including Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert are experiencing a two to three hour wait to get a vehicle boosted. They are reminding people to stay warm while waiting for a boost and that waiting in your car can be a temporary source of shelter from the cold and wind.
Environment Canada is reminding people to watch for cold-related symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with a wind chill.
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