This past week was a decent little break from an otherwise less-than-desirable February weather-wise, but today marks a shift back to dangerously cold temps and windchills as we approach what should in theory be the home stretch of winter in the coming weeks.
Environment Canada on Sunday afternoon has put in place an Extreme Cold Warning for all of Southwestern Manitoba including Brandon as temps plummet into the overnight and through to Monday morning. The temperature in Brandon is forecast to get down to -31 overnight tonight with a windchill at -43…. a number that we’re forecast to wakeup to on Monday morning. Part and parcel to the warning, EC cautions to "Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes" According to the warning, values are expected to moderate somewhat in the afternoon on Monday when the day's called-for high is minus 19.
For what its worth Brandon did dodge the worst of a weather system that more seriously impacted points East today. There was a period earlier in the day where the Trans Canada Highway had to be closed between Portage and Winnipeg, though it has since re-opened.
The optimist in me has an eye on the forecast temperature trend toward the end of the week where by Thursday we’re expected to see a high of minus 10.