Residents in Churchill, Manitoba, are being told to prepare for extreme cold as temperatures are expected to drop to minus 40 on the night of Saturday, February 21, 2026. According to Environment Canada, the upcoming weekend will bring clear skies and dangerously low temperatures that are much colder than the usual February average.
The daytime high for Sunday, February 22, 2026, is expected to be only minus 35, which is 15 degrees colder than the normal seasonal high of minus 20. These conditions mean frostbite can happen on exposed skin within minutes, which is a significant risk for anyone working or travelling outdoors.
The extreme cold can cause problems for local homes, including stress on heating systems and water pipes. There are also concerns that the low temperatures could impact the air brakes and tracks on the Hudson Bay Railway, which serves as the primary supply line for the town.
This weather arrives during the busiest time for seeing the Northern Lights, which Travel Manitoba notes is at its peak during February and March. While the clear skies are ideal for viewing the lights, the Town of Churchill suggests that residents and visitors limit outdoor activities to stay safe.
The current forecast of minus 40 is nearing historical lows for the area. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the community during the month of February was minus 45.4 in 1979.
