Artic air mass triggers extreme cold warning in northwestern New Brunswick

A snowmobiler makes the most of some fresh snow and cold conditions in Moncton, New Brunswick on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Source: Jesse Thomas/CTV News Atlantic)

Cold weather is expected this week in Atlantic Canada. Experts suggest an artic air mass will cause temperatures around the Maritimes to drop overnight.

The coldest conditions will be in Northwestern New Brunswick where an extreme cold warning is in place. Temperatures could feel as low as -35 degrees Celsius overnight into the morning with wind chill.

The freezing temperatures will not drop as low in Nova Scotia but the province is making sure there is extra space at shelters for those living outside.

“What we’re looking for right now with our network of service providers is any extra capacity in shelters,” said Suzanne Ley, executive director of supportive housing and homelessness with Nova Scotia’s department of community services.

The emergency shelter at the Halifax Forum is near capacity with temperatures expected to drop over night and feel like minus -22 degrees Celsius with the wind chill. The team with 902 Man Up, who operate the shelter on behalf of the province, are making more space for anyone who needs a warm place.

“If people need shelter, please call us,” said Erica West, the operations manager at the Halifax Forum shelter. “We’re prepared and ready and we want to make sure we can help as many people get off streets to be warm and safe during the cold snap and really indefinitely.”

Environment Canada issues extreme cold warnings whenever the temperature or wind chill reach -35 degrees Celsius for more than two hours.

So far the extreme cold warning is only in place for parts of Northwestern New Brunswick but all Maritimers should expect some of the coldest temperatures of the year.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.