An arctic airmass is settling over the prairies for the rest of the week, and an extreme cold warning has been issued for the entire province.

At 3:33 p.m. this afternoon, Environment Canada sent out an extreme cold warning to make Manitobans aware of blistering windchill values expected to settle at -40 to -45 degrees.

Natalie Hassell from E.C. says that the clear skies will allow any warmth to seep away into the atmosphere, causing more extreme temperatures. Tonight, Winnipeg is expecting to drop down to -44 degrees with the wind chill.

"It's very easy to tell that it's cold," says Hassell. "But it is a reminder that there are precautions that you can take and that you do need to plan your time and to pay attention to what's going on around you during these very cold conditions."

The extreme cold warning is expected to stick around until the weekend when temperatures will return to around regular seasonal temperatures.

"In these conditions, if you are driving, especially if you are highway driving or long-distance driving, it would be very useful for people to others where they're going, how long it's going to take them, what roads they're going to take, so that if they don't show up or don't call in somebody knows. And if you are that person on the highway, have an emergency kit."

Hassell also suggests that people stay in their vehicle if they find themselves stranded on the side of the road, call for help, or if there's an immediate building they can take for shelter to do so.

She also recommends being thoughtful of those in your community, the elderly, the young, and those with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the cold and the homeless community. 

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Current watches and warnings

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