Residents in the RM of Stanley, Manitoba, are finally seeing a break from the freezing temperatures that gripped the region throughout most of January 2026. On January 31, 2026, temperatures rose to near -18°C with a wind chill around -26°C, a sharp departure from the -40°C to -45°C wind chills that prompted Orange-level extreme cold alerts earlier in the month.
Dave Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, said there are signs the prolonged Arctic ridge is weakening and forecasts now show milder air moving into the Prairies. “The next 10 days are going to be brutally cold…” Phillips told CBC in mid-January, but he also noted that “the maps for February show warmer than normal, so I see some light at the end of the tunnel.” Forecasters are now projecting daytime highs near -7°C in southern Manitoba.
The warmer weather is especially helpful for local farmers. Provincial guidance from Manitoba Agriculture explains that cattle require more energy as effective temperatures fall (energy requirements increase by roughly 10% for every 10°C drop in effective temperature), so a warm-up reduces metabolic stress on livestock in the Pembina Valley and lowers the risk of cold-related losses.
Reeve Ike Friesen and municipal staff in the RM of Stanley are shifting attention from emergency cold-response to how the temperature swing might affect roads and water infrastructure. Homeowners are advised to inspect pipes in exterior walls and watch for problems related to frost heaves and settling during rapid thaws — older plumbing is more vulnerable to damage when soils and foundations move.
While the milder readings are a relief, health officials caution residents not to under-dress too quickly. Even at -18°C there remains a risk of hypothermia and frostbite for people who spend prolonged periods outdoors without proper winter gear; local health messaging has warned of the “warmth illusion” as temperatures moderate.
