The coldest weather of the winter, so far, is arriving over the course of the next day or so with bitterly cold, Arctic air descending across much of the Prairies, including Southern Manitoba.

Environment Canada has issued one of the first Extreme Cold Warnings of the season for our region. 

"An arctic air mass continues to bring dangerously cold temperatures to the region," stated the Warning issued mid-afternoon Saturday. "The extreme cold, combined with winds of 15 to 30 km/h, will result in wind chill values ranging from -40 to -55 at times over the coming days."

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.

"The weak disturbance impacting our region Saturday will continue to bring light snow through the evening," explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "The flurries will taper off by late evening, but the breezy conditions will last overnight, with northwesterly gusts up to 50 km/h and air temperatures around -30, meaning wind chill values nearing -40."

A mix of sun and cloud is expected Sunday, with winds northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 and a high -24.

"Temperatures will moderate somewhat Monday and Tuesday, but generally below average conditions are expected throughout the week."