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‘Extended cold temperatures can be dangerous’: meteorologist

Dec 29, 2017 | 4:10 PM

The recent cold snap which has smothered the province looks as if it is going to continue well into 2018 according to meteorologist John Paul Cragg of Environment Canada.

“It’s extremely cold today and I’m afraid it’s not going to get any warmer for a while yet,” Cragg said. “In fact tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) we could see temperatures dropping to -49 C with the wind chill which is dangerous if you are not careful.”

Cragg said while this has extended period of cold weather; a freeze in December in the Battlefords is certainly not uncommon.

“Traditionally in the Battlefords area you see on average 4.2 days where temperatures dip below -30 C,” Cragg added. “Right now the area has already had four days and I’m expecting to see at least three more by the time everything is said and done.”

While most of the country has been hampered by frigid temperatures, Saskatchewan seems to have borne the brunt of Old Man Winter’s wrath.

“Right now the sun’s angle is very low and when you combine that with cold air from the North which has infiltrated the area, we get a pipeline of cold Arctic air moving into Saskatchewan which we expect to stick around for some time,” he added.

With these extreme low temperatures, Cragg warned that precautions should be taken if you should venture outside.

“When wind chills get between -45 C to -50 C, exposed skin can start to freeze within two to five minutes,” Cragg said. “Hypothermia can also set in quite quickly so my advice is that you dress in layers, cover as much skin as you can and limit the amount of time you need to spend outdoors over the next few days.”

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roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:RJWtheReporter