Extreme cold warning blanketing Calgary; warmer temperatures incoming

While Calgary is experiencing an extreme cold warning this Family Day long weekend, it’s expected to warm up to positive temperatures later in the week, according to Canada’s weather agency.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says wind chill values around -40 C will continue, with “extremely cold wind chills,” into the week before ending.

Sunday’s temperatures are expected to reach a high of -18 C, with a wind chill of -29 C. Later in the evening, the low is expected to drop to -27 C, while the wind chill in the evening and overnight drops to -36 C. Meteorologists says there is a 30 per cent chance of flurries.

It doesn’t get much better on Family Day Monday, as the wind chill is expected to be around -36 C in the morning and -28 C in the afternoon. The ECCC says the high will climb to -19 C.

“Extreme cold puts everyone at risk,” the warning reads.

“Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.”

However, the weather is expected to improve later in the week, climbing back to a high of 5 C on Thursday, and double-digits on Friday.

Kevin Stanfield, 660 NewsRadio’s Meteorologist, says the jet stream, a narrow band of wind in the upper atmosphere, is starting to push its way and breaking into the next cycle–which hasn’t “happened in a while.”

“Normally, we get into these upward and downward trends. Sometimes it’ll be for a week down, then a week up, then another week down. We’re going on three weeks in that downward spiral. Now we’re starting to see the other side,” he explained.

“It will pay some dividends, and by the end of the week, we’ll be facing positive temperatures.”

Some of that warmth may come from a chinook, Stanfield saying those prone to headaches may have a “little bit less fun than the rest of us” when it starts to warm up next weekend.

While Alberta groundhog “Balzac Billy” predicted an early spring, he says the long-term forecast isn’t clear.

“But the rest of February–actually–will be shaping up a whole lot better than the first half did.”

But in the meantime, the ECCC says to dress warmly and use layers that are easy to remove, ideally with a wind-resistant layer on the outside.

“Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill,” it says.

“If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.”

Listen to 660 NewsRadio every 10 minutes on the ones for traffic and weather updates.

With files from Nadia Moharib