Calgarians faced a severe Arctic blast on Saturday, December 27, 2025, with few residents venturing outside as wind chill values plunged into the -30°C range. The bitter combination of freezing temperatures and blowing snow has disrupted daily life, leading to paused winter activities, difficult driving conditions, and significant delays at the city's airport.
Weather Warnings and Current Conditions
While Environment Canada has lifted its yellow warning advisory for Calgary, which was issued Friday afternoon, conditions remain dangerously cold. Temperatures are holding below -20°C, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 37 km/h and areas of blowing snow. Officials continue to urge extreme caution for anyone who must be outdoors.
Travel and Activity Disruptions
The frigid weather has had a tangible impact on transportation and recreation across the city. At Calgary International Airport, 95 flights were delayed on Saturday, with some setbacks lasting up to 30 minutes, according to data from FlightAware. While twenty flights were scheduled to travel to or from the United States, no cancellations were reported.
Popular winter recreation sites have also been forced to close. WinSport Calgary announced the closure of its ski and snowboard hills, as well as the tubing park, due to the extreme cold. All scheduled lessons for the day were cancelled.
Despite the harsh conditions, the Calgary Zoo remained open, and its annual Zoolights event was still scheduled to proceed on Saturday evening, as confirmed by a customer service employee.
Safety on the Roads and for Vulnerable Populations
City road crews have been working, but drivers are warned that major intersections and areas with stop-and-go traffic are particularly challenging. Icy roads are making for a slow and difficult commute. Fortunately, Calgary police reported no weather-related accidents or incidents as of Saturday, according to Staff Sgt. Mike Kelm.
The cold poses a significant risk to the city's most vulnerable residents. Emergency health services responded to eight calls for cold exposure within Calgary's vulnerable population, said Stuart Brideaux, a public education officer for Alberta Health Services. The calls primarily involved concerns for mild to moderate frostbite or early signs of hypothermia.
"Very often we are able to attend to folks before it becomes too serious," Brideaux stated, emphasizing the importance of community awareness during such extreme weather events.
Essential Safety Advice and Forecast
For those who must go outside, officials stress the critical importance of proper attire. Brideaux recommends wearing warm, insulating, and waterproof layers to combat the severe wind chill, which he identified as the primary driver of rapid heat loss.
"Today is a day where if you don't need to be outside, it would be advisable to stay inside," he advised residents.
There is some relief on the horizon. While freezing temperatures are expected to persist through Sunday morning, forecasters predict a warmer and sunny Sunday afternoon with a high of -6°C. A more substantial warm-up is anticipated for Monday, with temperatures climbing into positive territory.
