Calgary cold weather: What to know about being out in the city today

Freezing temperatures and blowing snow this weekend in Calgary has meant a pause on some winter activities, minimal driving and longer wait times at the airport.

Environment Canada has removed its yellow warning advisory for Calgary, placed Friday afternoon, but temperatures remain below -20 C with wind gusts of 37 km/h and blowing snow.

At the Calgary International Airport, 95 flights were delayed on Saturday, according to FlightAware, with delays ranging up to 30 minutes. Twenty flights were scheduled to flight to or from the U.S. No flights had been cancelled.

WinSport Calgary has posted that the ski and snowboard hills and the tubing park are closed due to freezing temperatures today and all lessons are cancelled.

The Calgary Zoo will remain open today and its annual zoolights event is still scheduled to run tonight, a customer service employee stated.

According to the city’s roadmap, drivers who have to be out and about will find the roads a trudge through, with splotches of red and orange throughout the map indicating either moderate or, especially around intersections of major roads, stop-and-go traffic.

However, the icy weather has not resulted in any accidents or weather-related incidents reported to the police or emergency medical services.

Calgary police Staff Sgt. Mike Kelm stated they haven’t received any reports or accidents related to the weather.

Stuart Brideaux, public education officer for emergency health services, added that crews have responded to eight calls in Calgary for cold exposure, within the city’s more vulnerable population.

“Generally it’s either concerns for mild or moderate frostbite and perhaps early onset or generalized hypothermia, if someone has been outside in the cold for long. But very often we are able to attend to folks before it becomes too serious,” Brideaux said.

For those venturing out of their homes today, Brideaux recommended warm, insulating and waterproof layers. “Because the wind chill is very severe today and that will be the biggest factor in heat loss,” he said.

While temperatures are forecasted to remain freezing for tonight and tomorrow morning, Calgarians can expect a warmer and sunny Sunday afternoon with a high of -6 C, with temperatures climbing into the positives by Monday.

“Today is a day where if you don’t need to be outside, it would be advisable to stay inside,” Brideaux said.