The New Year will be rung in under extreme cold temperatures. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

New Year's chill

Extreme cold to continue in 2022

Dec 31, 2021 | 3:14 PM

Saskatchewan will have a frigid start to the New Year.

The weather forecast has the extreme cold continuing throughout most of the next two weeks, with New Year’s Eve hovering around -33 Celsius. In the Battlefords, the overnight low is -37 C, with Meadow Lake at -38 C. Afterwards there’s a slight warmup, but Environment Canada is warning against making large adjustments.

Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Natalie Hasell told battlefordsNOW that the province is in the middle of an artic ridge, with cold air settling through multiple regions. A small break on Sunday from a low pressure system coming in from Alberta will bring a high of around -5 C in the Battlefords, with Meadow Lake getting to a cooler -14 C.

“In both places in the morning it will still be cold, but by middle of the afternoon, it should be quite nice even at -14 (C),” Hasell said.

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However, she added this won’t last long and the province will be plunged back into extreme cold temperatures. The Battlefords and Meadow Lake will get near -30 C for overnight lows on Sunday and around -27 C for daily highs by Wednesday, which could continue to Jan. 11.

“There is an end in sight, but it’s not this week,” Hasell said. “The -5 C on Sunday is more of a blip than anything.”

In additions to all the commonly stated concerns, car maintenance is an issue with multiple towing companies in the Battlefords inundated with calls Friday morning. Hasell added that the brief blip in temperature can cause poor road conditions in a variety of ways including mist and fog.

“The main thing is not to be fooled by the blip of warmer weather,” she said. “Always take the appropriate precautions.”

Towing companies have been busy with calls during this extreme cold spell. (battlefordsNOW Staff)

A particular note that Hasell stressed was not to leave the vehicle if motorists are stranded on the highway and utilize the vehicle’s heat and emergency supply kit. Current wind chills in the northwest region are around -45 C, which could develop frost bite on bare skin within minutes.

“It’s already offering you shelter and heat,” she said. “Tell people where you’re going so someone knows, but stay in your car. It’s hard to gauge distances. You’re putting yourself at risk if you’re traveling on foot at these temperatures.”

Residents can find safety tips for cold weather online through Environment Canada and road conditions on Highway Hotline.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW