Negative-40 windchills expected as Arctic air floods the west

Sunday, December 28, 2014, 11:46 AM - Western Canada is tumbling right into the deep freeze in the lead-up to the New Year.

Arctic air is flooding the regions, bringing wind chill values of -40 to much of the Prairies by Sunday night, with a scattering of snow in some areas.

"An Arctic high continues to sink south, bringing frigid temperatures and wind chills," Weather Network meteorologist Kelly Sonnenburg said early Sunday. "Frostbite will be a concern all day for the next few days."

B.C., meanwhile, isn't going to be quite that cold, but Arctic outflow will push temperatures noticeably below seasonal, with some snow also.

On the Prairies, extreme cold warnings are in effect in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and Sonnenburg says they may expand through the day.

Even in areas where the warnings aren't in place, wind chill values could still make it feel colder than -20 in many cities.

With these extreme values, Environment Canada warns the following groups are most at risk:

• Homeless people
• Outdoor workers
• People living in homes that are poorly insulated (with no heat or no power)
• People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and diseases affecting the blood vessels, people taking certain medications including beta-blockers
• Winter sport enthusiasts
• People who consume excess alcohol
• Infants and
• Seniors.

The agency also says people who have to be exposed to those conditions need to dress for it, with the following tips:

• Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.
• Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
• Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
• If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you're wet.

In Alberta, which is also set for hefty windchill values, there's also snow falling along the foothills from a system tracking south through B.C.

"Edmonton and Red Deer could see a trace of snow today, Calgary could see a centimetre or two," Sonnenburg says.

The snow should taper off by Monday morning.

Arctic outflow

British Columbia, meanwhile, has an Arctic outflow warning in effect for parts of the north and central coasts. The strong winds will funnel the cold air through mainland valleys and inlets making it feel like -20 or colder.

For much of the rest of B.C., it's not likely to be that intense, but the Arctic air will still drive temperatures five to 10 degrees below seasonal normals by Monday and Tuesdays.

Aside from the cold, there's also precipitation in the mix as far as the Lower Mainland.

"Southern parts of Vancouver Island and the coast could see some wet snow or a rain-snow mix this evening and overnight, with a weak system tracking south," Sonnenburg said Sunday.

NEW YEAR'S EVE: Here's a sneak peek at what weather will ring in 2015.