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Extreme cold warning issued for Red Deer area to start off the week

-30 C could return again next Monday
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Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning for many parts of Alberta, including the Red Deer area on Feb. 3, 2025. (Image from Environment and Climate Change Canada on Facebook)

Red Deerians woke up on Monday morning to a bone-chilling -33 C at 7 a.m. and an extreme cold warning issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. 

Monday's high was forecast to reach -24 C, with an overnight low of -29 C. Tuesday's high was expected to be -25 C, with an overnight low of -31 C. 

"We are having an area of high pressure at the surface which is allowing some arctic air from the north to settle in over portions of the prairie, and especially over Alberta," said meteorologist Justin Shelley.

"We're seeing temperatures close to, or lower than, -30 C in large portions of the province. With the wind, it's making it feel closer to -40 C."

He said temperatures are expected to moderate by the mid-week, but won't climb significantly, with overnight lows of about -20 C. And there's a chance the extreme cold will return next Monday. 

"A lot of the extended monthly outlooks look like we're going to stay below average for the month of February as a whole. So the trend we're seeing this week and next, might persist more or less for the month of February."

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures, or wind chill, creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia. Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, those working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

People should watch out for cold-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

Shelley recommended dressing in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer, cover up as much exposed skin as possible, stay dry and keep active. 

"It's certainly important to take precautions if you do need to be outside because frostbite can develop in a matter of five to 10 minutes when we're talking about wind chills of -40 C or lower."

He said January is typically the coldest month for the Red Deer area. Last month was three degrees warmer than average, making it the 18th warmest January on record out of 107 years of data for the area.

January has the coldest daily average for the month at -11.6 C. February's average is -9.8 C. 
 



Susan Zielinski

About the Author: Susan Zielinski

Susan has been with the Red Deer Advocate since 2001. Her reporting has focused on education, social and health issues.
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