RED DEER COUNTY - Environment and Climate Change Canada’s extreme cold warning for Red Deer County and urban centres near it issued Thursday remains in effect Friday.
“Extremely cold wind chills are expected this morning,” the federal agency’s 4:23 a.m. Jan. 3 alert said.
The coldest wind chill values will be near -40 C but will moderate as temperatures rise today, it said.
“However, extreme cold conditions may return Friday night and Saturday morning for some areas as temperatures drop and winds strengthen,” the Friday alert said.
The warning was issued for areas including Red Deer County near Penhold, Innisfail, Bowden, Elnora, Lousana, Delburne, Pine Lake, Spruce View and Sylvan Lake.
As of the time of the alert on Friday, the warning did not apply south to Mountain View County or the urban centres near it.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frostbite and hypothermia.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk, the agency said, adding risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
It advises to watch for cold-related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes and to cover up.
Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
