After weeks of a relatively dry, warm winter, extreme cold has set in across the Prairies, bringing wind chill values of minus 40 Celsius and below.
Environment Canada has issued extreme cold warnings from Regina, Sask. in the west, all the way east to Dryden, Ont.
Many in the area woke up Monday morning to temperatures in the minus 25 to 30 C range, with wind chill values of minus 40 to minus 45.
The Weather Office expects the chilly temps to settle in for at least the next two weeks, although a short warm spell is expected on Wednesday.
The cold snap over the Prairies is being blamed on a ridge of high pressure that has pushed in a cold Arctic air mass.
Environment Canada issues extreme cold warnings when the wind chill creates an increased risk of frostbite, hypothermia, or other health risk.
The Weather Office is warning those stepping outdoors to dress appropriately, as frostbite can occur on exposed skin within a few minutes. Infants, seniors, outdoor workers and the homeless are at particular risk.
The cold has already caused problems for firefighters battling a blaze in two large commercial buildings at a transport business near Estevan, Sask.
Estevan Fire Chief Shane Code told The Canadian Press that the cold weather froze the valves on a water tanker used by firefighters, and at least four diesel fuel tanks on trucks caught fire and exploded while firefighters were trying to get their hoses working. No one was injured in the explosions.
Over on the North Coast of British Columbia, meanwhile, the ridge of high pressure is spreading Arctic air from the mainland out onto the coast, causing strong outflow winds through inlets on the coasts.
The outflow conditions are expected to ease Tuesday morning.
