Quebec under extreme cold warning as temperatures drop dramatically
Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for most of southern Quebec as temperatures plunge dramatically to end the workweek.
Montrealers woke up Friday morning to temperatures of -26.4 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest morning of the season so far -- the record low for this day remains -27.5 degrees Celsius in 2005.
Quebec temperatures versus wind chills for Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.
Extreme wind chill values of -38 C to -40 C are expected to hit the province Friday night into Saturday morning.
If temperatures reach the expected -29 C on Saturday morning, it would set a new record for the day, beating the current record of -28.3 C in 1976.
"Cover up," warns Environment Canada. "Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill."
The agency asks anyone working outdoors to take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill create an elevated risk to one's health, such as frostbite or hypothermia.
January 2022 has been one of the coldest in the last few years, with temperatures dropping below -20 C nine times already -- compared to last year when it only happened once.
The normal high at this time of year: -6 degrees Celsius.
The normal low at this time of year: -15 degrees Celsius.
Extreme cold warning for Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.
-- with files from CTV News' Lori Graham
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Gunman kills at least 19 children at Texas elementary school
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement.

Biden makes urgent call for new firearms restrictions after Texas school shooting
Lamenting a uniquely American tragedy, an anguished and angry U.S. President Joe Biden delivered an urgent call for new restrictions on firearms Tuesday night after a gunman shot and killed 19 children at a Texas elementary school.
Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
U.S. senator begs for gun compromise after Texas shooting
Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who came to Congress representing Sandy Hook, begged his colleagues to finally pass legislation addressing the nation's gun violence problem as the latest school shooting unfolded Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas.
Society 'may not survive' Putin's war, says billionaire George Soros
Russia's invasion of Ukraine may have marked the start of "a third world war," and Russian President Vladimir Putin must be defeated "as soon as possible" if the world wants to preserve civilization, said billionaire and philanthropist George Soros.
Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard denies rape allegations at sex assault trial
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has emphatically denied raping a teenager and a young woman nearly six years ago, testifying Tuesday that both encounters were consensual and "passionate."
Many Ontario residents could be waiting several days for power after storm
Provincial provider Hydro One said Tuesday afternoon that more than 142,000 customers in parts of Ontario were still without power after a devastating weekend storm.
RCMP suspend flights at Victoria International Airport after suspicious package discovered
Travellers who have a flight planned at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on Tuesday afternoon are being warned of travel disruptions due to police activity.
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.