Frigid temperatures across much of Western Canada include advisories warning parts of Alberta to prepare for a snowy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
As much as 10 to 20 cm is expected to fall by Christmas morning in Central Alberta, and Environment Canada is asking drivers to consider adjusting travel plans to take into account road conditions.
The snow advisories join cold warnings in effect for parts of Manitoba, as well as Alberta and Saskatchewan — where predictions are for wind chills in some spots between -45 and -50 C.
Parts of B.C.’s northern interior could also see wind chill values as low as — 45 until mid-way through Christmas Day.
Extreme cold that has blanketed much of the Yukon for several days is expected to continue through Christmas Eve, with wind chills in some spots hitting -45 to -55 C.
Derek Lee, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Tuesday that Arctic air has been building over the territory for the last week and a half.
“But that’s soon to change. We are looking to see some systems roll through Yukon in the next coming days and with that we’ll bring some moisture and cloud cover which will in turn help keep the temperatures a little bit higher than what we’re seeing now.”
Lee said cloud cover is in the forecast to sweep over the territory from north to south to help keep in some warmer air, but the cold in general isn’t going anywhere.
“We’ll likely still continue in the trend of being maybe below normal for this time of year, even into the weekend. But I would say that the temperatures when we get into the weekend will be at least maybe 10 to 20 degrees warmer than what we’re seeing today,” he said.
“Basically getting out of the negative 50s and maybe into the negative 35 to negative 40 range by the time we get in to the weekend.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2025
The Canadian Press
