From blizzards to extreme cold, many parts of Canada under severe weather alerts

Your Morning meteorologist Kelsey McEwen has an update on when extreme cold temperatures in Ontario are expected to ease.

Much of the country is facing weather alerts for heavy snow, blizzards and extreme cold Wednesday.

Here’s what to know in your region:

Newfoundland and Labrador

Extreme cold warnings and snow squall watches have been issued for parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. Blizzard-like conditions are projected, with snowfall ranging from 10 to 20 centimetres and maximum wind gusts of 70 km/h. With poor visibility and sudden weather changes, travel may be “hazardous,” Environment Canada wrote.

The Churchill Falls area faces an extreme cold alert with wind chills that may plunge to -50 this morning.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick faces similar extreme cold warnings, with wind chills plunging from -35 to -40 in the northwestern part of the province Wednesday morning.

While conditions may be similar Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, it said, temperatures are expected to moderate later this week.

A special air quality statement was issued because of elevated pollution levels for the Edmundston area Wednesday morning. But conditions are expected to improve later with more wind and higher temperatures.

People may be coughing, or experience throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath, especially children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, Environment Canada said.

Quebec

Extreme cold and blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of Quebec. The northwestern Les Escoumins area, for instance, is under extreme cold warning, with wind chill values hitting -38.

Blowing snow will make visibility difficult in some areas, such as the northeastern village of Umiujaq, where there is a blizzard warning.

Ontario

Many areas of Ontario face extreme cold and snow squall warnings. Parts of the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham, will have “bitterly cold wind chills,” with values as low as -35 on Wednesday morning.

Manitoba

Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning for parts of Manitoba. An arctic airmass over northern Manitoba will bring a period of “very cold wind chills” in the -45 to -50 range Wednesday night, it said.

Young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter are more vulnerable to health risks such as frost bite and hypothermia because of the extreme cold, Environment Canada said.

The department advises everyone to cover up to avoid frostbite and to keep pets indoors.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has snowfall warnings and blowing snow advisories active Wednesday morning. Snowfall of up to 20 cm is projected for in the southwestern area, for instance. The heavy snow will stop Wednesday night. Visibility will be poor during the day, Environment Canada said.

Alberta

A snowfall warning is in effect for parts of southern Alberta, with a total of 10 to 20 centimetres expected before the heavy snow tapers off Wednesday night, according to Environment Canada on its website. Travellers are warned of gusting winds causing blowing snow that may worsen visibility in some areas.

“Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions,” Environment Canada wrote on its website. “Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.”

British Columbia

Parts of northern B.C. near the Alaska border also have a warning for significant snowfall. Heavy snow from 20 to 25 cm is projected by Wednesday evening, Environment Canada said. It cautioned drivers about possible visibility problems.

Nunavut

Blizzard warnings have been issued for Nunavut’s Inuit communities of Clyde River, Naujaat and Sanirajak, with reduced visibility or even “visibility near zero.” The hazardous conditions are not expected to improve until Thursday.