Bitterly cold temperatures persist across much of Alberta, but not for long [Video]

Prairie people are often known for their hardy nature, but many Albertans will be relieved when a long stretch of cold, mid-winter weather gives way to what is forecast to be a wonderfully warm stretch in parts of the province later this week.

Most of Alberta remained under an extreme cold warning on Tuesday after numerous cold weather records were broken over the weekend.

At noon, Environment and Climate Change Canada said the temperature in Edmonton was -20 C but felt more like -32 with the wind chill. Wednesday is forecast to be less cold but things could really change on Thursday, when Alberta’s capital is expected to reach a high of 3 C.

David Phillips, a senior climatologist at ECCC, said all of February has been particularly cold in Edmonton.

“Frigid February has had no melting temperatures so far,” he told Global News on Tuesday. “Average temperature at the (Edmonton) International Airport is an incredible almost 12 degrees …