Arctic air causes extreme cold in Sask., but the end is in sight
Air from the Arctic has prolonged the extreme cold in Saskatchewan and experts say the frigid air will stick around a little while longer.
While most of the country is experiencing colder temperatures, Saskatchewan residents must expect conditions to remain mostly the same until Jan. 10.
“So currently we are under extreme cold warnings right across Saskatchewan and actually across a large swath of the country,” said Bradlyn Oakes, meteorologist for CTV News. “We do have a low-pressure system skirting along the U.S. border and that’s going to bring something called ‘warm air induction.’”
Warm air induction will bring a temporary reprieve from the punishing temperatures but will also bring snow.
“In Regina, we can expect five to seven centimeters of snow and then the cold air is back for the weekend,” said Oakes.
The extreme cold is not helping the work of the Regina Fire department. Deputy Chief Neil Sundeen explained that the already strenuous work done by the department is made evermore complicated but challenging weather conditions.
“We’ve had difficulty with keeping equipment running, whether it be pumps, or hoses or fire hydrants,” he said. “Cold weather just does not do well with heavy diesel equipment.”
He said the more important challenge is the risk to personnel, as they work with water in sub artic conditions.
“I would suggest that almost every sub artic temperature fire we have, somebody will get frostbite,” he said.
“If you can imagine, getting a wet glove, putting in your deep freeze for a couple hours, and putting it on and trying to grab something. Whether it be a tool or a latter rung it really does create a safety issue for all of our personnel on scene.”
Regardless of the recent cold snap, some residents took advantage of the sunshine and minimal winds to get out for some fresh air and exercise.
“I just had my hip replaced about two months ago, so this is my second lap around the lake,” said a Regina resident walking in Wascana Park. “The weather could probably be a little bit better but it’s not windy, if you dress up properly and you’re probably going to be just fine.”
He said he would need to warm up after his five-kilometer-long excursion.
“I’m parked up near pine island, so that’s probably another kilometer or so,” he said. “Then I’m going to need a hot cup of coffee.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.