Polar vortex will ‘overwhelm,’ plunge Eastern Canada into deep cold

A rush of Arctic air will overwhelm the weather pattern across North America starting this weekend, plunging Eastern Canada into some deep cold.

A rush of Arctic air will disrupt the weather pattern across North America starting this weekend, plunging Eastern Canada into some deep cold.

Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell said the chilly temperatures, caused by a polar vortex spinning across Canada, will “overwhelm” and will start this weekend and carry into next week.

Temperatures are already plummeting across the Prairies, Farnell added, with a blizzard warning issued for Winnipeg. Temperatures this weekend will stay in the -20 Cs, with wind chills near -40 or lower for Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg.

“These frigid temperatures shift south and east behind a cold front that will bring some rain or wet snow on Saturday to southern Ontario and Quebec, with rain changing to snow by Sunday night in the Maritimes,” he said.

“The polar vortex will spin across northeast Canada, but a lobe of frigid air from Siberia will swing south on the western side of this vortex and bring the coldest daytime highs we’ve seen in two or three years for many cities across southern Ontario.”

On its website, Environment Canada said Canadians living in those regions should be prepared for “very cold” conditions between Sunday and Wednesday.

“Temperatures may be colder than those that have been seen the last several years,” the federal weather agency said.

“Remember frostbite can develop in minutes on exposed skin. Keep dry to stay warmer.”