Prepare for piercing cold as polar air blasts across the Prairies
CBC
Ready for some winter weather whiplash?
After a relatively balmy spell, with temperatures well above seasonal averages, bitter cold is set to make a comeback in communities across the Prairies.
A blast of dense icy air responsible for making the Siberian tundra the coldest it has been in decades is bound for Canada and the West is straight in its path.
Environment Canada expects the bitter system will churn into the Prairie provinces on Thursday bringing a mess of wintry weather — followed by a sudden drop in temperatures.
The mild weather will come to an end with a smattering of snow, icy rain and poor driving conditions, said Kyle Fougère, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
"This low-pressure system, it's definitely going to spread some snow and some strong winds across the Prairies," Fougère said Monday.
"And then, in behind that, is where we're really going to get these cold temperatures."
Environment Canada expects temperatures will begin to plunge on Friday with the deep freeze taking hold over the weekend.
It won't be as harsh as the cold snap in late December but this month's brief reprieve will be over. And it will likely come as a bigger shock to the system for eastern Canadians who have had one of the mildest winters on record.
In British Columbia, Environment Canada forecasts a high of 2 C for Prince George on Friday before temperatures slide to an overnight low of –21. Fort St. John will chill to a high of –21 on Saturday, dropping to –26 overnight.
In the Yukon, Whitehorse will see a high Friday of –6, skidding down to –27 overnight.
By Saturday, Edmonton is expected to hit –19 C with a nighttime low of –24. The forecast is much the same for Winnipeg. Saskatoon will hit –21 over the weekend with nighttime temperatures around –26.
"We're going from these temperatures that were well above normal and we're going to have this really cold air slide down and sit across the Prairie provinces," Fougère said.
"As that system slides to the east, it's going to drag down some really Arctic air in behind it. "