Winnipeg – WEATHER – Winnipeg is in the heart of a serious Arctic outbreak this afternoon. A cold, windy airmass has settled over Southern Manitoba, and Environment Canada has issued an Orange Warning – Cold for the City of Winnipeg.
Wind chills are expected to remain in the -40 to -45 range overnight and return below -40 each night through the weekend—conditions where frostbite can develop within minutes.
Weather Overview Thursday Night
Current Conditions (Winnipeg Richardson Int’l Airport – 4:00 PM CST)
Late-day conditions are harsh and still active:
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Temperature: -30.7°C
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Wind Chill: -45
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Condition: Drifting Snow
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Wind: NW 24 km/h, gusting 35 km/h
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Pressure: 103.6 kPa, rising
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Humidity: 63%
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Dew Point: -35.5°C
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Visibility: 10 km
Even with decent visibility, drifting snow can create sudden patches of reduced contrast and slick surfaces—especially in open areas where wind sweeps across roads and parking lots.
Orange Warning – Cold
What Environment Canada is warning about
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Hazard: wind chill values -40 to -45
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Location: Southern Manitoba (including Winnipeg)
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Timing: ongoing into the weekend
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Confidence: High
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Impact: High
Key message
Wind chills may improve slightly during daytime hours, but they’re expected to drop back below -40 each night for several nights. That’s the kind of cold where a quick “just a minute outside” can turn into a problem if skin is exposed.
Safety reminders for residents
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Dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer.
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Cover all exposed skin—especially cheeks, nose, ears, and hands.
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Keep a vehicle emergency kit (blankets, booster cables, warm gloves/hat, flashlight).
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Outdoor workers should take regular warm-up breaks.
Extended Weather Forecast
Expected Conditions (Next Three Days + Trend)
Tonight (Thu Jan 22)
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Sky: Partly cloudy
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Flurries: 30% chance
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Local blowing snow: early this evening in open areas
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Wind: NW 30 km/h gusting to 50
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Low: -30°C
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Wind chill: near -43
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Risk: Frostbite in minutes
Friday, January 23
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Sky: Mainly sunny
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Wind: NW 20 km/h gusting to 40, becoming light in the morning
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High: -25°C
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Wind chill: -43 in the morning, improving to -35 in the afternoon
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Risk: Frostbite in minutes
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UV index: 1 (Low)
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Night: Clear, becoming partly cloudy near midnight
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Low: -32°C
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Wind chill: near -44
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Saturday, January 24
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Sky: Sunny
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High: -29°C
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Night: Clear
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Low: -37°C (the coldest night in this stretch)
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Sunday, January 25
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Sky: Sunny
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High: -26°C
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Night: Clear
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Low: -25°C
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Early outlook
A gradual moderation appears early next week (highs closer to the teens below zero), but it will remain firmly winter-cold.
Wardrobe Recommendations
When wind chills are -40 to -45, dressing properly is about safety:
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Base layer: thermal top and bottom (moisture-wicking)
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Mid layer: fleece or wool insulation
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Outer layer: windproof parka + snow pants (wind resistance is crucial)
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Hands: insulated mitts (warmer than gloves) + liners
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Head/face: toque plus balaclava/neck gaiter (cover cheeks and nose)
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Feet: warm socks + insulated boots (avoid tight boots—circulation matters)
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Eyes: glasses or goggles help in wind and blowing snow
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If commuting: pack spare mitts/hat, a blanket, and a small emergency kit in case of delays
Weather Trivia
-40 is the point where Celsius and Fahrenheit meet. So when Winnipeg’s wind chill dives toward -45, it’s brutally cold in any temperature scale—and that’s why frostbite risk rises so quickly.
In Summary
Winnipeg is under an Environment Canada Orange Cold Warning as wind chills reach -40 to -45 into the weekend. Get current conditions, a detailed multi-day forecast, frostbite risk guidance, and what to wear in extreme cold.
