Western Canada is not immune to the vagaries of winter. Environment Canada says the extreme cold has delayed air travel, disrupted traffic in some areas and put lives at risk as the cold snap continues through the weekend.
That federal agency said temperatures in Edmonton fell to -37 degrees Celsius on Friday morning and could have hit -40 degrees Celsius overnight within city limits for the first time since January 1972.
To put things in context, what's considered normal for mid-January in the Edmonton area is a temperature of -8 to -16 degrees Celsius, said Samantha Mauti, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
In the next few days we will experience temperatures around -30 to -40 degrees Celsius.
Cold weather and wintry road conditions led to a number of accidents in Alberta and British Columbia on Friday, as the temperature fell to -36°C in Calgary, -13°C in Vancouver and a wind chill of -24°C in Vancouver came.
Metro Vancouver and Victoria could get some relief from the bitter cold over the weekend, but it's not time to put away the coats just yet. Environment Canada says the wind chill, which may have reached -30, is expected to ease Saturday afternoon and settle between -10 and -20 by Sunday morning.
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In Edmonton, the cold reached record highs.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Manuel Carrillos Avalos
In Edmonton, Alberta Health Services said subfreezing temperatures caused a problem in the ventilation system, cutting off heating in the emergency room at Royal Alexandra Hospital and forcing patients to be diverted to other hospitals for a while.
Transport disrupted
In Calgary, severe freezes led to flight delays and airport cancellations, while a power outage on the downtown light rail system forced passengers to wait in the cold.
Vancouver Airport officials are also advising travelers to check with their airline before traveling. The airport authority says extremely cold temperatures, particularly in Alberta, are severely impacting flights from Calgary and Edmonton.
A spokesperson explains that incoming flights that are delayed or canceled due to weather conditions could have a direct impact on flights departing from Vancouver Airport.
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People who do not have adequate protection are at greater risk due to the extreme cold in Western Canada.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ben Nelms
Although such intense cold poses a risk to everyone, Environment Canada says the risks are greatest for young children, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, people who work or exercise outdoors, and those who do not have adequate protection biggest.
Forecasters continue to warn people about frostbite and hypothermia, which can occur within minutes if skin is exposed to air.
They suggest that anyone venturing outside should dress warmly, in layers, and stay dry.
With information from The Canadian Press