Extreme cold warning issued for northern Alberta, stagnant air advisory for Edmonton

A person exhales as they make their way along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for northern Alberta, with windchills expected between -40 and -45. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

An extreme cold warning has been issued for northern Alberta.

Environment and Climate Change Canada posted the warning around 10 p.m. Saturday night, saying that overnight and early morning wind chill values of -40 to -45 will continue through the weekend.

Temperatures expected to stay cold throughout the day Sunday before they begin to warm up Monday afternoon.

The warning included areas just south and east of Edmonton all the way north to Fort Smith.

Stagnant air advisory for Edmonton

A special air quality statement was also in effect for Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park Sunday morning.

“High levels of air pollution have developed in Edmonton East and Sherwood Park,” the advisory posted on Environment and Climate Change Canada website stated.

“The observed AQHI (Air Quality Health Index) values for Edmonton are generally in the moderate risk category, however light winds and stagnating weather conditions have resulted in very high levels of fine particles in Edmonton East and Sherwood Park. Very high risk AQHI values are expected to persist this morning at these locations.”