While Manitobans expect a cold winter, we haven't experienced a stretch of cold weather quite like this in 15 years. 

CMOS accredited weathercaster Chris Sumner says the cold Arctic air that's descended on Manitoba will stick around until at least Thursday.

Wind chill values hit -50 in some parts of southern Manitoba overnight, including Victoria Beach at -51. Plenty of other locations hit -49 or -48, including the City of Winnipeg.

"To put into context just how cold it will be over the next few days, it's been 15 years since southern Manitoba has seen weather this icy," Sumner says.

"It was January 29 and 30, 2004, when new overnight low records were set in many locations, including the City of Winnipeg." On January 29 we set a record of -40.6, and then again the next night with a low of -41."

Sumner says the good news is we won't see temperatures won't be that cold over the next few days, but wind chills will remain dangerously low.

Mike Russo of Environment Canada says this cold snap might feel worse because the last few winters have been relatively mild.

"I mean, we've had cold spells, but things of this nature . . . you know, we haven't had one in a while."