THUNDER BAY — The deepest and longest cold spell of the season is headed for Northwestern Ontario..
Environment Canada believes it may result in the issuing of an extreme cold warning for the Thunder Bay area.
A cold front moving into the region will bring "a constant stream of Arctic air" over an extended period, meteorologist Trudy Kidd said Wednesday.
Overnight low temperatures are currently predicted to approach -30 C starting Saturday night, with similar night-time temperatures for at least the next two days.
By Monday and Tuesday, the daily maximum will be only -23 C, which is 14 degrees below normal.
But it's the wind that will make things really uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous to exposed flesh.
"It's going to be very chilly...That's going to make temperatures feel possibly colder than -35 C at times, maybe even reaching the -40 C point," Kidd said.
"There's a possibility of an extreme cold warning that comes into effect when temperatures or wind chills reach -40 C. But even if it doesn't meet that extreme cold criteria, people should still remember to layer up, and check on older family members, friends, and neighbours."
She said the cold spell may last until Thursday of next week.
"Really dress warmly, and in layers. And if you work outside, make sure you're taking those scheduled breaks to warm up."