Extreme cold gripping parts of central, eastern Canada this weekend

A bitter cold is gripping parts of central and eastern Canada today, Feb. 13, as temperatures dip to -45 Celsius with the wind chill in some areas, while the Thompson-Okanagan will see above average temperatures.

Environment Canada has issued extreme cold warnings for provinces from Manitoba to New Brunswick.

The national weather forecaster says temperatures could fall to -45 C in Ottawa today with the wind chill, warming up to -35 C overnight.

In New Brunswick, temperatures are expected to hover between -35 C and -40 C with the wind chill until Sunday.

Quebec and Manitoba can expect much of the same, with temperatures warming up early next week.

Meanwhile, Newfoundland is bracing for a winter storm that could bring up to 20 centimetres of snow to eastern parts of the island today.

By contrast, the forecast in the Thompson-Okanagan today calls for a chance of showers and highs around 7 C.