Environment and Climate Change Canada extended an extreme cold warning for Red Deer County, Mountain View County and nearby urban centres into Tuesday.
Extremely cold wind chill values near - 40 degrees Celsius (C) and -45 C continue, the federal agency said in its 4:34 a.m. Feb.18 weather alert update.
"Wind chill values will moderate somewhat during the day but extreme cold is expected to return tonight for some regions. Conditions will moderate Wednesday afternoon,” the federal agency said in the early Tuesday morning update.
An extreme cold warning for the area was first initiated Saturday.
An extreme cold warning is issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach – 40 C for at least two hours.
Areas included in the warning were:
• Red Deer County near Penhold, Innisfail, Bowden, Elnora, Lousana, Delburne, Pine Lake, Spruce View, Red Lodge Provincial Park and Sylvan Lake.
• Mountain View County near Carstairs, Cremona, Water Valley, Olds, Didsbury and Sundre.
“Extreme cold puts everyone at risk," the federal agency noted in the alert.
Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter, it said.
If outside, dress warmly, the federal agency advises. adding to dress in layers that can be removed if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind resistant.
“Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside,” the federal agency advised.
