Red Deerians will endure a continuation of colder temperatures as we head into March.
On Tuesday morning, the temperature hovered around -46C with wind chill factored in. Things were better Wednesday with a high of -17C expected. But according to Environment Canada, the wind chill made it feel more like -34C.
Average temperatures for this time of year normally sit around -4C to -10C.
“These temperatures are way below average,” said John McIntyre, forecaster for Environment Canada. “Alberta is currently feeling a cold high build up coming from Alaska.”
March is also described as a transitional month, when weather patterns are notably unstable.
From here on in, things look slightly better. On Thursday, a high of -15C is expected with a low of -21C.
Friday’s high is expected to reach -15C with a low of -22C.
Saturday’s high should reach -17C with an expected low of -27C.
However, for the next 10 days Red Deerians will still be feeling the wrath of winter, said McIntyre.
Looking back, the coldest the mercury ever dipped to during this month in Red Deer was -42.8C on March 8, 1951.
The record high was recorded on March 31, 1942 when temperatures soared to a downright balmy 19.4C.
Meanwhile, because of the recent deep freeze a number of events around Central Alberta have had to be postponed.
The infamous Polar Dip in Sylvan Lake will take place this weekend. The event was postponed from its original date on Feb. 19 when the temperature plummeted that weekend.
The Polar Dip will take place at 1 p.m. near the pier on Saturday. A number of other activities will also get underway as part of the Town’s WinterFest including human curling, games for kids and skating.
The second annual Red Deer Carnaval also runs March 4-5 and will include activities around Red Deer until March 12th. The Carnaval will not only feature French Canadian culture, but this year the addition of Métis culture has been added in the mix.
The Carnaval is hosted by the Association Canadienne-Française de L’Alberta (ACFA) and the Métis Local 492 and will include live music focused around traditional instruments such as violins as well as six bilingual performers. Numerous activities for the whole family will include games, the maple sugar shack, the Trappers’ Tent (a new addition highlighting Métis culture), dancers, musicians, fiddlers and other activities and entertainment.
In order to get into the Carnaval a tag must be purchased at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre, the Collicutt Centre, the ACFA at 4932 B Ross St. or the Recreation Centre.
Anyone who purchases a tag will receive $10 off the regular $20 ticket price to the closing ceremony on March 12 at the CrossRoads Church starting at 8 p.m.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
