“It’s going to get worse before it gets better, but there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Danielle Desjardins. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

COLD SNAP CONTINUES

Deep freeze to grip the Battlefords, Meadow Lake over Family Day weekend

Feb 14, 2025 | 4:00 PM

Residents of the Battlefords and Meadow Lake areas will have to brace for another wave of extreme cold over the Family Day long weekend before temperatures begin to return to normal by midweek.

“This cold snap is not over,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Danielle Desjardins. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

While the region is not currently under an extreme cold warning, that is expected to change over the weekend as wind chills push temperatures to –40 C. Daytime highs will remain in the mid-to-low –20s, while overnight lows will plunge well into the –30s.

A ridge of high pressure has kept much of the province in a deep freeze. While some areas of Southwestern Saskatchewan have seen slightly warmer conditions due to cloud cover and light snowfall, North Battleford and Meadow Lake remain under the influence of bitter Arctic air.

“This pattern has been stagnant for about a week now,” Desjardins said. “We’re dealing with a polar vortex that has settled over the Prairies, and it won’t start to shift until midweek.”

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The current cold snap is one of the longest of the season, though not record-breaking. Temperatures are running nearly 20 degrees below seasonal norms, with average highs for this time of year typically around –7 C.

Some snowfall is expected with next week’s warm-up, but no major storms are on the horizon for the Battlefords and Meadow Lake.

Residents are urged to take precautions, as frostbite can occur within minutes in these conditions.

“If you’re outside, dress in layers and cover exposed skin,” Desjardins said. “If possible, take breaks indoors to warm up and ensure you have a warm place to stay.”

Warm-up shelters

In North Battleford, Miwasin Kikanow Shelter, a 75-bed facility at 962 102 Street, operates 24/7. Intake for overnight stays begins at 8 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. A warm supper is provided daily at 5 p.m.

The warmth extends to Meadow Lake, where Homeplate Shelter Coalition Corp provides a 17-bed shelter operating seven days a week. Its overnight section runs from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and supper is served each night in partnership with Meadow Lake Outreach Ministries’ Door of Hope Kitchen.

Other warm-up options in the Battlefords include:

• Allen Sapp Gallery (downstairs) – Open Wednesday to Sunday, 12-4 p.m.

• North Battleford Fire Department (downtown) – A bus and utility vehicles will be available nightly from 5-9 p.m.

• Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre – Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

• North Battleford Public Library – Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sunday

• Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre – Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

• Living Faith Chapel – Soup kitchen available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-1:30 p.m.

• NationsWEST Field House – Lobby open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

• Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre – Lobby open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; weekends, 1-8 p.m.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com