Arctic air is pushing through Manitoba and bringing with it extreme cold and freezing winds.

A cold air mass has covered the Prairie provinces and is bringing bitter wind chills to all of southern Manitoba.

Wind chills are expected to drop below -40°C starting Thursday and staying there until Friday, with the coldest temperatures expected Friday morning.

The Arctic air is expected to remain in Manitoba until the beginning of next week.

Environment Canada warns that frostbite can occur within minutes on exposed skin during these types of conditions.