Multi-day episode of extreme cold on the way to Manitoba: ECCC

The sun shines through the cold near Carman, Man. on Jan. 19, 2026. (Leonard Wiebe)

A frigid, gusty air mass forecast to move into Manitoba has triggered a series of cold warnings enveloping the entire province.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the orange warnings Wednesday afternoon, noting a multi-day episode of very cold wind chills is expected throughout the province.

The weather agency notes temperatures are set to plunge across Manitoba starting overnight Wednesday and will likely last three days.

The culprit is a colder and windier air mass moving into Manitoba, ECCC said, bringing falling temperatures and wind chill values dropping into the -40 to -45 range in the south and in the -45 to -50 range in the north.

ECCC notes wind chill values may improve slightly during daytime hours but will continue to plunge each night for several nights.

The weather agency reminds the public that extreme cold can be dangerous, as frost bite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

Folks are reminded to dress in layers, with a wind resistant outer layer.

Outdoor workers are also advised to take regularly schedule breaks to warm up.