A windchill warning has been issued for Winnipeg and the surrounding area, with the temperature set to plummet to -37 C.

It will feel like -45 to -50.

Arctic high pressure is to blame, bringing a surge of bitterly cold air across southern Manitoba.

Northerly winds of 30-40 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h, will add to it.

Those winds have also caused Environment Canada to issue a blowing snow warning.

The wind is expected to die down this evening to reduce the threat of blowing snow, but it will be so cold Saturday morning that exposed skin could be frostbitten within five minutes.

The extreme cold is expected to last into early next week.