Extreme cold warning issued for all of Alberta before Edmonton temperatures drop even further this weekend
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued an extreme cold warning for all of Alberta, and cold temperatures are forecasted to continue in the Edmonton area until the end of the weekend.
"As this arctic ridge is coming in, the cold air is kind of sinking into Alberta. The winds are 10 to 15 kilometres an hour, which means -30 C temperatures giving wind chills of -42 C, -45 C," ECCC meteorologist Alysa Pederson told CTV News Channel on Thursday morning.
"Tomorrow morning and Saturday morning we're expecting temperatures to be in the -30 C to -35 C range, some places -40 C. And that's what's going to bring the wind chills even closer to the -45 C, -50 C range."
As a result of the plunging temperatures, people are being urged to be prepared and plan for delays if they're travelling by road or air.
"If you're on the highways, make sure you have an emergency kit in your car that includes things like a sleeping bag or a comforter or candles with a match so that you can have some heat if there's an emergency," Pederson said.
IMPACTS IN EDMONTON
As of 11 a.m. on Thursday, the wait time for the Alberta Motor Association to boost your battery, unlock your car or deliver fuel was 10 hours.
If you need a new key or a locksmith you should expect to wait four hours.
Drivers in need of a tow or winch will have to wait 72 hours.
That number had jumped substantially from 54 hours at 10:30 a.m.
A vehicle receives a boost in Edmonton. (CTV News Edmonton)
At the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) some flights have been delayed as a result of the cold temperatures, a spokesperson confirmed.
"We encourage people to check their flight status before arriving at the airport and leave extra time to get to YEG," Erin Isfeld wrote in an email to CTV News Edmonton.
"Our departures roadway is closed for construction so folks who are being dropped off by friends or family are encouraged to arrive a few minutes earlier than normal to make the three to five minute walk from the new passenger pick-up and drop-off area through the parkade to the terminal."
Edmonton's skyline on Jan. 10, 2024. (CTV News Edmonton)
The City of Edmonton also activated its cold weather response earlier this week in anticipation of the cold snap.
All open city facilities are available to be used as warming areas during operating hours.
An additional 50 temporary overnight emergency shelter spaces have been opened at the Al Rashid Mosque in north Edmonton.
The city has added extreme weather bus routes to transport people to emergency shelters. Info on the buses is available on the city's website.
The cold weather response is scheduled to be lifted at 12 p.m. on Jan. 18, weather dependent.
With files from CTV News Channel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978604.1721996942!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Paris Olympics begin with unique opening ceremony along the Seine
The Paris Summer Olympics officially get underway today with a unique opening ceremony.
DEVELOPING Trudeau, with Australian and New Zealand PMs, pen letter renewing ceasefire calls for Gaza
Prime ministers of Canada, New Zealand and Australia released a letter renewing calls for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza on Friday morning.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics
Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that sabotage and arson that hit key parts of France's high speed rail network on the eve of the Olympics had 'a clear objective: blocking the high speed train network.'
Latest updates on wildfires in Jasper National Park: Rain, cooler weather limiting spread
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.
Canadian Olympic Committee CEO says soccer coach Bev Priestman likely aware of spying
Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer David Shoemaker says the head coach of the national women's soccer team was likely aware drones were used to spy on an opposing country's practices in France.
Search for missing vulnerable 3-year-old child in Mississauga, Ont. continues
Police say the search for a vulnerable child who went missing in Mississauga, Ont. Thursday evening continues. Three-year-old Zaid, who is described as possibly non-verbal, was last seen at 6:20 p.m. in Mississauga’s Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road. He was not wearing shoes or socks at the time.
Sunken treasure: Is the champagne nestled in a 19th-century shipwreck still fit for a toast?
A team of Polish divers has discovered the wreckage of an old sailing ship loaded “to the brim” with luxury goods including porcelain items and about 100 bottles of Champagne and mineral water about 58 meters (190 feet) deep off the Swedish coast.
opinion 'Deadpool and Wolverine' review: A love letter to a bygone era
'Deadpool and Wolverine' is a showcase for the bromance stylings of its stars, who pull out all the stops to cap Fox's Marvel movies.