Kickstarting the new year was an extreme cold warning issued for Ponoka and area.
Environment Canada issued the warning Jan. 3 stating that a period of very cold wind chills are expected, dropping the temperature to minus 40 degrees C.
Anyone not dressed appropriately is at risk for frost bite and hypothermia and those more at risk are homeless people, says the warning. Also at risk are those who work outside, people living in poorly insulated homes or with specific medical conditions or winter sports enthusiasts.
Environment Canada advised people dress warmly and to use synthetic and wool fabrics as well to dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.storm.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports to #ABStorm.