On Wednesday afternoon, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an extreme cold warning for Airdrie and the surrounding areas.
"Extremely cold wind chill values near minus 40 tonight. The wind chill may moderate during the day but the extreme cold will continue through the week," the warning stated.
According to forecasted weather, Airdrie will see the temperature drop to minus 31 this evening, with wind chills ranging from minus 34 to minus 40 overnight.
While Wednesday evening may not break any records, as the lowest recorded for February 22 was in 1889, when it was minus 36.7 degrees, Airdrie may very well break a record on Thursday evening.
According to weather predictions, Thursday evening's temperature will plummet to minus 37, with windchill reaching up to minus 44 overnight, with frostbite occurring in minutes. The lowest recorded temperature on February 23 was minus 32.2 degrees in 1889.
Environment and Climate Change Canada warns that the risks of such extreme cold are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
"Watch for cold-related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes."
Other areas affected by the extreme cold warning include:
- Mountain View Co. near Carstairs and Stirlingville
- Mountain View Co. near Cremona and Water Valley
- Mountain View Co. near Olds and Didsbury
- Mountain View Co. near Sundre
- Rocky View Co. near Airdrie and Crossfield
- Rocky View Co. near Bottrel and Madden
- Rocky View Co. near Cochrane
Amid the extreme cold warning, Airdrie's firefighters have commenced with their annual rooftop campout for muscular dystrophy. Four firefighters will be sleeping atop the Toad 'n' Turtle Pubhouse & Grill until Saturday.
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