Weather too polar for penguins! Extreme cold continues in Calgary

Calgarians only have to suffer through bitter cold a little while longer before the temperatures rise.

The intense winter weather continued Thursday and it'll be more of the same to start Friday but the mercury will climb on the weekend, with daytime highs that are more seasonal.

Some don't mind the bitter blast.

"I'm cold but I'm good. Snow is money when it comes to snow removal," said Megan Vienneau of Bugaboo Landscaping.

When you have 75 yards to clear in one day, the exercise helps combat the cold but so does dressing the part.

Warm air trapped between layers helps block the cold.

"I'm wearing like four pairs of pants, three pairs of socks, lots of clothes."

For now, it's so brisk even penguins prefer to stay indoors.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo announced Thursday morning its daily penguin walk was cancelled due to the extreme cold.

At the Calgary International Airport, at least six departing flights were cancelled on Thursday, along with nine arrivals.

The airport took to social media earlier this week to warn travellers the cold and snowy weather may impact flights, asking those heading to the airport to leave extra time to get there.

Calgary's cold winter weather also prompted WinSport to close its ski and snowboard hill this week.

EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT

Calgary remains under an extreme cold warning, with Environment and Climate Change Canada cautioning the arctic weather puts everyone at risk.

"Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter," said the national weather agency.

"Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill."

Environment Canada issues extreme cold warnings when cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frostbite and hypothermia.

WAYS TO WARM UP

If you're feeling a bit frosty, there are several ways to warm up, like sipping on a hot chocolate.

Though the city's annual YYC Hot Chocolate Fest wraps up in less than a week, that's plenty of time to purchase a specially crafted hot chocolate for charity.

There are almost 100 participating vendors and a portion of the sales from every hot chocolate goes to Calgary Meals on Wheels.

Though the city's annual YYC Hot Chocolate Fest wraps up in less than a week, that's plenty of time to purchase a specially crafted hot chocolate for charity.

Lazy Loaf and Kettle's gingersnap hot chocolate was one of the versions Janet Lee tried.

"It's been really, really cold out there this morning and coming in here has made the morning way better and having that YYC hot chocolate here has made it like 100 times better because it's really good."

You could also escape the cold and go on a mini tropical getaway at Devonian Gardens.

The city park in the Core shopping centre is a free way to warm up.

"It's like a mini vacation in Calgary just for an hour or two." said Samantha Halstrom. 

You could also cozy up inside the East Village's Hygge Hut.

The Scandinavian-style space is inspired by the Danish idea of Hygge, and is open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Lastly, Calgarians without homes are welcome to warm up at one of the Salvation Army's mobile warming stations. 

It's open from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the Sunalta Station and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Southland Station.