Polar vortex blows more arctic air over Waterloo Region; extreme cold warning in effect

Commuters in Waterloo Region are in for another bone-chilling day of arctic air, and potentially the coldest day of a frigid week.

Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning for Tuesday until Wednesday morning, as wind chill values approach -30 C.

According to the weather service, the extreme cold poses serious risk to your health and safety. Any skin exposed to the frigid air could develop frost bite in just 10 minutes. Be sure watch for shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and numbness in fingers and toes.

Some snow could fall on the region over this cold stretch as well, but the cloud cover could have a positive effect on those cold temperatures.

According to 570’s Meteorologist Jill Taylor, clouds can help generate heat through the process of condensation.

“The cloud cover could moderate the temperatures at times,” she said. “The clouds are helping to produce the heat due to that condensation process and that could help it not feel as cold as -30 C or colder.”

Temperatures begin to warm up as the weekend approaches. The high on Thursday is -6 C and -4 C for Saturday and Sunday.