Frigid weather grips central and southern Sask.

(Hayatullah Amanat/CTV News)

Environment Canada has issued a cold warning for much of central and southern Saskatchewan on Friday.

The yellow alert signals very cold temperatures with wind chill values nearing –40 C under the agency’s new colour-coded system.

The extreme cold is expected to persist into Saturday before temperatures begin to moderate on Sunday.

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Residents are urged to dress in layers and avoid going outdoors without proper clothing.

“The outer layer should be wind resistant. Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside,” said Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Environment Canada says the average minimum temperature for Saskatoon on Dec. 12 is –18.7 C.

The coldest temperature recorded on that date, not including wind chill, was –40.6 C in 1940.