Much of Canada faces extreme cold, heavy snow in latest winter blast

From frigid temperatures in the west to heavy snow in the east, parts of Canada are seeing the full force of winter.

Orange alert cold warnings remain in effect through eastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba, with wind chills expected to get down to -40 C.

Residents of cities including Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg woke up Sunday morning to sunny skies and temperatures of -35 C, with wind chills of -42 C.

Since then, cold warnings dropped for much of Saskatchewan, but some communities in eastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba could still see temperatures reach as low as -50 C.

People are urged to dress warmly and in layers that can be removed if they get too warm. Officials also advise covering up to avoid frostbite, which can develop within minutes on exposed skin.

Drivers, meanwhile, are advised to keep emergency supplies in their vehicles, such as extra blankets and jumper cables.

The Prairies aren’t the only region facing extreme cold, Ontario and Quebec are freezing as well.

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Some parts of western and central Ontario are facing cold warnings with temperatures expected to go as low as -40 C.

In northeastern communities along the lower St. Lawrence, such as Sept-Iles, Port-Cartier, Blanc-Sablon and Fermont, yellow alert cold warnings forecast wind chills hitting between -30 and -40.

Extreme cold is not the only issue, however.

Yellow alert snowfall and winter storm warnings are in effect for southern parts of Quebec and all of the Maritimes.

Montreal, Laval and the Brome-Missisquoi area are among those expected to see 15 to 20 centimetres between Sunday morning and Monday evening. A snowfall rate of one to two centimetres per hour is expected.

A special weather statement warning of 10 cm of blowing snow near the St. Lawrence River is also in effect in the areas of Quebec City, the Beauce, Lower Laurentians and Bois-Francs.

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Much of central and northern Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton, are facing 25 to 35 cm under a yellow alert snowfall warning that also forecasts wind gusts of 50 to 70 km/h.

Southwest Nova Scotia faces similar snowfall amounts but also is under a winter storm warning with maximum wind gusts of 60 to 80 km/h expected.

Throughout the province, the heaviest snow is expected to begin Sunday night into Monday morning.

New Brunswick, meanwhile, is expecting a long period of snowfall in several parts of the province starting Sunday evening.

A yellow alert snowfall warning has also been issued for cities including Moncton, St. John and Fredericton, forecasting 20 to 30 cm between Sunday and Tuesday morning.

People are advised to stay in if they can. Those who must travel are asked to be careful and take it slow as blowing snow could reduce visibility to almost zero.

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