Extreme cold warning issued for Edmonton area, Boxing Day breaks record

Edmontonians are being told to brace for another brutally chilly day in the city.

An extreme cold warningremainsin effect on Boxing Day for the Edmonton region, and almost every area of the province. A swath ofAlberta communities stretching from Fort Chipewyan in the north toLethbridgein the south are contending withbrutally cold temperatures.

In Edmonton Tuesday morning, car and truck engines struggled to choke to life and local roads remained slick as temperatures hovered around -29 C.

Environment Canada is forecasting a high of -24 C in Edmonton on Tuesday, with an extreme windchill that will make it feel more like -40.

Boxing Day established a new low for the region, breaking a daily record set in Dec. 26, 2016, when temperatures dropped to -24.7 C.

Overnight, temperatures are expected to fall to a low of -27 C, with a windchill of -36.

'Extreme cold puts everyone at risk'

Extreme cold isexpected over most of central and northern Alberta today and tonight. Environment Canada expects the frigid weather pattern will remain "entrenched" for the remainder of the week.

"Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frostbite and hypothermia," according to an advisory from Environment Canada.

"Extreme cold puts everyone at risk."

• Central LRT station a last resort shelter during extreme cold weather

Albertans braving the cold are being told to watch for cold-related symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.