Most of the southern Prairies have been plunged into a deep freeze as wind chill values plummet below -40 Celsius in parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta.

The sudden chill has triggered several extreme cold warnings across those areas.

Environment Canada issued the warnings Saturday as wind chills in central and southern Saskatchewan – including Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert – made -30 C feel more like -40 C.

“Cold arctic air has settled into southern Saskatchewan as a ridge of high pressure builds over the province,” the agency explained in a statement.

In Manitoba, Environment Canada said to expect extreme wind chill values of -40 to -45 Saturday evening with winds of 15 to 30 km/h continue across the south.

The same ridge of cold Arctic air pushing in from Saskatchewan has prompted extreme cold alerts in most of eastern Alberta as well.

The frigid conditions could slightly ease up overnight, but the cold is expected to last all weekend, Environment Canada said.

Those under the extreme cold alerts are urged to watch for frostbite and hypothermia. Environment Canada says if you experience breathing problems, muscle pain or itchy skin, go inside and warm up immediately.

Warmer temperatures are forecast for Monday in Saskatoon and Regina, with a high of -13 C. Winnipeg isn’t expected to see warmer temperatures until Wednesday, when it warms up to a high of -11 C.

The extreme cold isn’t expected to return in the short-term future. Next weekend’s forecast calls for a high of -1 C in Regina and a high of -3 C in Saskatoon on Friday.

With files from CTV Saskatoon