Extreme cold weather hitting most of Canada with temperatures plunging to -55C this weekend
Along with the cold temperatures, the Greater Toronto Area is also under a winter storm warning
Author of the article:Ling Hui
Published Jan 23, 2026 • Last updated 21 hours ago • 2 minute read
Frigid temperatures are sweeping across most of Canada, from eastern Alberta to Newfoundland and Labrador, with the wind chill ranging from a bone-numbing low of -30C to -55C expected over the weekend.
Residents in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario will have to contend with the coldest temperatures as Environment Canada issued a rare orange warning Friday, stating a “multi-day episode of very cold wind chills is expected” until Sunday.
Northern Saskatchewan is facing the brunt of the Arctic blast, with the weather agency stating that the region will be hit with wind chill values between -45C and -55C Friday night and into Saturday morning, while northern Manitoba should brace for wind chills in the -45C to -50C range during the weekend.
“Wind chill values may improve slightly during daytime hours, but are expected to drop back below -45C each night for the next several nights,” it said.
In Regina and parts of Manitoba, officials closed schools and cancelled buses and field trips.
Officials in Regina also said they was making available an overnight warming bus that travels between shelters until Monday.
Environment Canada issued a yellow warning for the eastern parts of Alberta, noting that “wind chill values near -40C may return tonight for a few communities.”
The deep-freeze is also sweeping into Ontario, with the weather agency warning of wind chill values ranging from -35C to -45C beginning Friday night and continuing into Sunday morning.
Along with the cold weather, the Greater Toronto Area is also under a winter storm warning, with snowfall amounts forecast between 20 and 30 centimetres on Sunday, Environment Canada said.
Visibility could be “near zero at times in blowing snow with winds gusting to 50 km/h,” it warned.
The City of Toronto said it has dispatched extra outreach teams to encourage people to seek shelter indoors.
The Arctic air is expected to hit New Brunswick well into the weekend, with Environment Canada warning of wind chills between -30C to -39C Saturday morning until Sunday morning. Northwestern areas of the province will be hit with the coldest temperatures, it said.
Residents in the affected regions are being advised to dress warmly, wear extra layers and cover up exposed skin to avoid frost bite.
— with files from the Canadian Press
Frigid temperatures are sweeping across most of Canada this weekend, from eastern Alberta to Newfoundland and Labrador. Read more.
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