Calgary/IBNS: With a significant cold snap expected to grip the province of Alberta for several days, Environment Canada has reissued extreme cold warnings as the coldest temperatures are expected Saturday morning.

Temperatures throughout the province will drop to around –30 C Wednesday night with wind chills near –40, according to the warnings issued by Environment Canada for all locations in the province.

With the morning temperatures over the weekend expected to dip to –40 C in many areas throughout Alberta, the wind chills will be near –50, the warnings say and people are being asked to cover up if they have to go outside, as frostbite can develop within minutes on skin exposed to such cold.

As the extreme cold poses greater risks to young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and people without proper shelter, the agency also urges people to remain indoors and to keep their pets inside.

Environment Canada has warned that temperatures would warm slightly early next week, but “below normal temperatures” are expected to persist.

Extreme cold warnings have also been issued by the agency for much of B.C. and northern Saskatchewan, as well as parts of the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)