Extreme cold settles over Manitoba after blizzard

Extreme cold warnings are in effect for most of Manitoba onWednesday, a day after a blizzard whipped through the south, closing highways and schools.

An Arctic ridge of high pressure is expected to bringbitter winds to most of the province, with wind chill around40in the southand45to50 in the north.At6:30a.m., it was 29 C in Winnipeg,28 in Dauphin, 34C in Thompson and 31 C in Churchill.

The only areas not under extreme cold warnings are The Pas, Flin Flon, Norway House and surrounding areas.

Environment Canada says winds will die down slightly during the day, before even colder conditions return in the evening and into Thursday.

The extreme cold is expected to ease up somewhat before the weekend.

The conditions bring a heightened risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Environment Canada warns people to be mindful of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and changing colour in the fingers and toes.

• Environment Canada weather alerts for Manitoba

The conditions also posea risk to pets.

More information about how to stay safe amid extreme cold is available on the province's website.

The following areas areunderan extreme cold warning:

• Arborg, Hecla, Fisher River, Gypsumville and Ashern.
• Berens River, Little Grand Rapids, Bloodvein and Atikaki.
• Bissett, Victoria Beach, Nopiming Provincial Park and Pine Falls.
• Brandon, Neepawa, Carberry and Treherne.
• Brochet.
• Churchill.
• Dauphin, Russell, Roblin and Winnipegosis.
• Dugald, Beausejour and Grand Beach.
• Gillam.
• Grand Rapids and Waterhen.
• Island Lake, Oxford House and Gods Lake.
• Killarney, Pilot Mound and Manitou.
• Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids and Pukatawagan.
• Melita, Boissevain and Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
• Minnedosa and Riding Mountain National Park.
• Morden, Winkler, Altona and Morris.
• Poplar River.
• Portage la Prairie, Headingley, Brunkild and Carman.
• Selkirk, Gimli, Stonewall and Woodlands.
• Shamattawa.
• Sprague and Northwest Angle Provincial Forest.
• Ste. Rose, McCreary, Alonsa and Gladstone.
• Steinbach, St. Adolphe, Emerson, Vita and Richer.
• Swan River, Duck Mountain and Porcupine Provincial Forest.
• Tadoule Lake.
• Thompson, Nelson House and Split Lake.
• Virden and Souris.
• Whiteshell, Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa.
• Winnipeg.
• York.