Mass of Arctic air invades parts of Canada, sends mercury plunging

FREDERICTON — A mass of cold air that meandered south from the Arctic has sent temperatures plunging across parts of Canada from New Brunswick to eastern Alberta.

Peter Kimbell, meteorologist with Environment Canada, says winds circulating from west to east cause Arctic air to occasionally invade the southern latitudes for a few days before retreating north.

Extreme cold warnings are in effect across the country, with temperatures feeling like -40 C in parts of Alberta, -45 C in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and down to -50 C in northern Ontario.

Meteorologist Jill Maepea says a weather system that developed over the United States eastern seaboard brought about 25 centimetres of snow by the morning to southern New Brunswick, and about 15 cm to parts of Prince Edward Island.

Several schools across the Prairies and the coast of Atlantic Canada were closed because of cold weather and snow.

Police across regions affected by extreme weather are asking people to avoid non-essential travel, to dress warmly outside, to ensure their fuel tank is full and to carry a winter driving survival kit with items such as a shovel, blanket, and booster cables.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2025.

The Canadian Press