Bad news, Quebecers: the bitter cold gripping much of the province could get even worse over the weekend.
That's according to the latest forecast from Environment Canada.
"Bitterly cold Arctic air combined with brisk winds are generating wind chill values of minus 30 to minus 38 across western and central Quebec," the weather agency said Thursday.
"These conditions are expected to persist for several more days and could even worsen through the weekend."
In such frigid temperatures, Environment Canada warns that frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially in windy conditions.
The deep freeze is believed to have claimed the life of a Quebec City man earlier this week.
In Montreal, police say there are officers working on the ground in collaboration with health authorities to find and guide the city's homeless population to warmer spots.
The city has 925 emergency accommodations for homeless men, women and youth.
Temperatures are expected to remain well below seasonal values at least through next week.
Much of Canada affected
The big chill is affecting other parts of the country as well.
Early Thursday morning, an Environment Canada map showed extreme cold weather warnings across much of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, a large swath of Ontario and parts of Quebec, as well as special weather statements for Nova Scotia, P.E.I., New Brunswick and parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.
A Zamboni attempts to groom the ice surface in Ottawa. A cold snap has caused cracks on the ice surface, forcing the cancellation of hockey games and public skating for the time being. (Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand)
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