Lakeland Area Bus Cancellations for Thursday, January 11, 2024

A number of Lakeland area buses have been cancelled due to extremely cold temperatures. Schools will remain open. Parents and students are reminded to always check with their school and division for the most current bus status.

As of 6:45am on Thursday, January 11, 2024

• East Central Francophone School Division: All Buses Cancelled
• Northern Lights Public School Division: All Buses Cancelled: https://www.nlpsab.ca/transportation/bus-status
• Lakeland Catholic School District: All Buses Cancelled: https://lrcssd.busstatus.ca/
• St. Paul Regional Education Division: All Buses Cancelled: https://www.stpauleducation.ab.ca/transportation/bus-status

Environment Canada Issues Extreme Cold Warning

A long period of extremely cold temperatures and wind chills continues. Temperatures will hover around minus 30 degrees Celsius today with wind chill values expected to be close to minus 40.

Air temperatures will continue to fall gradually through the end of the week, with the coldest values expected by Saturday morning. Over the weekend, morning temperatures will reach minus 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. Wind chills will approach minus 50. A slight improvement in the temperature is forecast for early next week, but certainty is low, and below-normal temperatures are likely to continue. Extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter. Watch for cold-related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes. Dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind-resistant. Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside. Watch for colour changes on fingers and toes, pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, or swelling. If present, move indoors and begin warming. Keep moving to maintain your body heat and seek shelter from the wind. Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill create an elevated risk to health, such as frostbite and hypothermia.