Extreme cold warnings for Westman, Blizzard warnings in north

Parts of Manitoba are under shades of red under the weather warnings map on Tuesday morning.

Extreme cold warnings

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning in western Manitoba. Arctic air is pushing over the region and wind chills around -40 are already occurring in some of the communities affected.

As skies clear this morning, extremely cold wind chill values of -40 are expected to continue.

A period of extreme cold values will continue through the week during the overnight and early morning periods.

Temperatures are expected to return to seasonal by the weekend, but for now, Environment Canada is reminding residents that these wind chills are extremely dangerous. "Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter," the warning says.

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.

Blizzard in Churchill

A blizzard warning from Environment Canada says that strong northerly winds combined with falling snow are expected to produce hazardous visibilities beginning tonight in Churchill.

A low pressure system tracking towards the Kivalliq coast will produce strong northerly winds of 50 gusting to 70 km/h. Combined with falling snow, visibilities are expected to be reduced to less than 400 m.

Conditions are expected to remain poor until Thursday when winds will slowly weaken.

Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Blizzard warnings are issued when widespread reduced visibilities of 400 metres or less are expected for at least 4 hours.

Winnipeg cold but not "that" cold

Southern Manitoba, including the capital city, isn't necessarily off the hook when it comes to cold weather.

Today's expected high is -20. Combined with winds from the northwest at 20 km/h, the temperature will feel closer to -34 in the morning, and -28 in the afternoon.

An overnight low of -26 is expected with a wind chill of -34.

Daytime highs aren't expected to climb back above -20 until Saturday, which is currently forecasted to be sunny with a high of -18.

Environment Canada is currently forecasting that Christmas Day will be sunny with a high of -19.