Extreme cold warnings up for Manitoba

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The Environment Canada agency issued extreme wind-chill and frostbite warnings for southern Manitoba, saying exposed skin can freeze in less than 10 minutes.

Snow blanketed the region Saturday, but stopped Sunday when Arctic air swept through with westerly winds that made it feel like minus 40, the Winnipeg Sun reported Monday.

Environment Canada forecaster Andre Cyr said the cold would begin easing through Wednesday. The high temperature for Monday was expected to be about 11 below zero.

Cyr said December had lower-than-average temperatures, and was the coldest in eight years.

Just two weeks into winter, Winnipeg has as much snow now as it did all winter last year, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said.

To the west in Saskatchewan, the temperature was minus 40 Sunday morning in Saskatoon, but with winds, felt like minus 63, the CBC said.