Environment Canada has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for Kootenay and Yoho National Park areas.

While the Rocky Mountains are mostly shielding the East Kootenay from the massive Arctic front that is bringing a wind-chilling deep freeze to most of Canada, the two national parks are enveloped in it.

The coldest wind chill values will be between minus 35 and minus 40, Environment Canada says of the national park areas.

“A cold Arctic ridge of high pressure will remain over the region for several days. Consequently, wind chill temperatures will lower to minus 35 at times. Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter,” Environment Canada reported.

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.

There is no alert in effect for the Columbia Valley or Elk Valley, though temperatures region-wide are expected to remain in the -15 to -26 C range today and tomorrow, with the Elk Valley expected to get the coldest temperatures outside Kootenay National Park.

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