Much of Manitoba can expect a frosty Friday, but sunshine will accompany these frigid temperatures.

Mostly sunny skies are forecast for the southwest with freezing and patchy temperatures. Maximum temperatures in the area will likely peak at around -20°C, but wind chills will make it closer to -30°C at times.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, this is due to a ridge of Arctic high pressure that continues to extend toward southern Saskatchewan and parts of western Manitoba, giving the first blast of Arctic air in the season.

In and around Winnipeg, a mix of sun and clouds with northwest winds gusting to 30 km/h. A high of -12°C is on the way in Winnipeg, which is a far cry from the usual high for this time of year.

Northern Manitoba can expect periods of light snow today which will likely last overnight and for a day or two.

Temperatures are noticeably mild around the Churchill and Gillam areas, with maximum temperatures in the minus single digits associated with moderate northerly winds.

Meanwhile, wind chill values ​​are expected to drop again overnight, stabilizing near the -40°C mark in western Manitoba.

Winnipeg and surrounding areas can expect partly cloudy skies with slightly milder lows in the upper teens. The wind chill will be a little less strong in this corner of the country, settling around -30 C.

On Saturday, in the south-central regions of the province, it will be cloudy again, with a 30 percent chance of snow showers in the morning.

Temperatures remain below season in Winnipeg, with a predicted high of -11°C.

Conditions remain punishing in western Manitoba, with maximum temperatures set at around -20°C, with wind chill further cooling it to around -10°C from there.