School closures and CTrain delays highlight extremely cold day
Posted Jan 14, 2020 07:52:11 AM.
Last Updated Jan 14, 2020 12:24:56 PM.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Alberta’s extreme cold has led to school closures and problems for thousands of commuters.
An extreme cold warning is still in effect for the City of Calgary and the entire province of Alberta as windchills will reach minus 40 or colder.
RELATED: Calgary under extreme cold warning
The bitter temperatures have forced some schools to close including some in Rocky View Schools.
Schools in Crossfield, Beiseker and Kathyrn are closed to all students except for those writing Grade 12 Diploma Exams.
Meanwhile, all schools in the Chinook’s Edge District are open but buses will not be running.
January 14 – Today is an inclement weather Yellow Day. Buses are not running in Chinook's Edge today but our schools are open and classes are being held.
— Chinook's Edge (@cesd73) January 14, 2020
For those choosing to drive in the cold snap, the Alberta Motor Association asks you to be careful and make sure your car is prepared for the weather.
“You never know when you’re going to break down, it’s not something that’s expected,” said Brandon Klassen with AMA. “Carry an emergency kit in your car that has a blanket, some warm clothing, gloves. Clear off your vehicle before you drive away just to make sure your sightlines are good and nothing’s obstructed by snow or ice.”
Klassen also recommends you have a working block heater for your vehicle.
“Once the temperature dips below 15 degrees Celsius you should be plugging your car in. It just helps your motor stay warm and keeps the oil from thickening up so you have easier starts.”
According to the AMA website, you could be waiting up to 12 hours for a full tow and 10 hours for a boost.
Commuters taking Calgary Transit have had to wait a little longer Tuesday morning. CTrains were running at least 15 minutes behind on the blue and red lines due to mechanical failures from the cold.
#CTRiders extreme weather conditions are causing mechanical issues with CTrains. The #RedLine CTrains are running up to 15 mins behind schedule. The #BlueLine CTrains are running up to 10 mins behind schedule. #BundleUp #LongJohnsTypeOfDay pic.twitter.com/2DgNyjIntd
— Calgary Transit (@calgarytransit) January 14, 2020
The cold weather also means many homeless shelters are at capacity.
It's so cold in Calgary right now that frostbite can set in within 10-30min & if you're not dressed for the weather then you could experience hypothermia within 10min. That has @calgarydropin asking for winter clothes donations, they've run out of boots & need coats #yyc @660NEWS
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) January 14, 2020
The Calgary Drop-In Centre is asking for help with donations of warm clothing and boot to help those escaping the cold.
The extreme cold is expected to linger in Calgary through the week with Sunday expected to reach minus two.