Experts urge caution, preparedness as Saskatchewan hit by extreme cold snap [Video]

The prolonged cold snap in Saskatchewan is bringing to light the dangers of being unprepared for the cold, especially for new residents not accustomed to prairie winters.

While the winter blues are certainly settling in, so too can frostbite if bare skin is exposed to the air for any length of time in this cold weather.

“Realistically, anything lower than zero degrees, you can obtain frostbite,” Mike Schindel, the Medavie Health Services West operation manager said.

“Temperatures with the wind chill, when it hits to about -26 or so, that’s what the wind chill. It can take easily 30 minutes. And you can get frostbite with that… it’s usually the fingers, toes, the nose, cheeks and ears.”

Mohamad Baydoun, a doctor at the University of Regina, said frostbite can be minor or severe and could require medical attention. He said newcomers to Saskatchewan need to be very careful.

“They might …