Well, let's hope that today's forecast isn't a foreshadowing of Balzac Billy's winter prediction.

It's Groundhog Day and Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for the following areas:

  • Rocky View Co. near Cochrane
  • Mountain View Co. near Carstairs and Stirlingville
  • Mountain View Co. near Cremona and Water Valley
  • Mountain View Co. near Olds and Didsbury
  • Mountain View Co. near Sundre
  • Rocky View Co. near Airdrie and Crossfield
  • Rocky View Co. near Bottrel and Madden

Weather experts say that the Cochrane area is experiencing extremely cold wind chill values between minus 40 and minus 45.

Residents are reminded to cover up as frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

Residents are also urged to remain on the lookout for shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

Environment Canada is reminding local residents that if it's too cold for you to be outside, it's too cold to leave your pets outside too. Balzac Billy will need to layer up!